NU tanker tows PSL winners

MANILA, Philippines - National University standout Martin Jacob Pupos led the gold medalists on the opening day of the Philippine Swimming League (PSL)-Philippine Inter-schools, Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (PISCUAA) University Games FESSAP Swimming Championship yesterday at the Rizal Memorial swimming pool.

Pupos submitted two minutes, 5.09 seconds to claim the top spot in the men’s 200m freestyle.

Michael Bunag of Coach King Swimming School settled for silver in 2:12.68 while Jeffrey Hirao of College of Saint Benilde took the bronze in 2:13.88.

Gwanju World University Games veteran Jux Keaton Solita of UST also stole some spotlight by bagging the men’s 400m freestyle in 4:26.47, beating Alfred Maglabe of Mapua  (4:50.94) and bronze winner Hirao (5:11.28).

Moments later, Solita earned his second gold in the 800m freestyle in 9:17.97.

Also winning gold medals were Lans Bunag, 200m individual medley (2:37.22);  Rawlin Donato of UP, 50m butterfly (26.91), Samuel Gregory Ongjoco of St. Benilde, 200m butterfly (2:25.34), Sean Martin Ortega of Adamson University, 100m backstroke (1:07.97) and Sean Elijah Enero of Mapua, 50m backstroke (29.31).

In the women’s division, Leichelle Buenaventura of University of the East won two gold medals – 50m backstroke (40.75 sec) and 100m backstroke ( 1:29.13).

Earning gold medals in their respective events were Technological University of the Philippines-Manila tankers Alliah Saliendra (400m freestyle, 5:55.25) and Angelica Mae Medrano (50m butterfly, 33.72), and Gianna Data of Benilde (200m IM, 2:48.94).

The other medalists were Julian Ingrid Pupos and Aubrey Ybanez.

The tournament serves as qualifying tournament for the 29th Summer World University Games scheduled next year in New Taipei City in Taiwan.

Fifty-two slots are alloted in the men’s division and another 52 in the women’s side.