Swimming records tumble; UC holds on tight to lead

CEBU, Philippines - Unlike in the past editions where they celebrate ahead of time, the University of Cebu (UB) Webmasters have to toil hard up to the very end this time as they only enjoy a marginal lead heading into the final day of action in the 17th Milo Little Olympics Visayas eliminations at the Cebu City Sports Center.

 UC banked on its victory in badminton to hold on tight to the overall lead in the secondary division with 106.25 points, just 15.20 points ahead of the University of San Carlos-Basic Education.

 UC ruled the secondary boys badminton after edging out Carmen National High School in a three-set thriller.             Fritz Michael Sagaad defeated Carmen’s Nino Jay Quindao, 21-8, 22-20, but the UC tandem of Carlo Alisoso and Christian Urot fell prey to Kyle Bosquit and Karl Alprecito, 21-17, 18-21, 23-21.

 Dexter Opalla, however, saved UC's day after outlasting Alfred Armamentoi, 21-5, 21-7, in the rubbermatch.

 In the girls action, Southwestern University (SWU) clinched the title after crushing USC in straight sets.

 Running at temporary third to fifth place in the standings are the University of the Visayas (UV) with 70 points, Abellana National School with 68.5 points and Iloilo National High School with 58.25 points.

 At the start of the two-day swimming competition, Michael Ichiro Kong lived up to expectations as one of the brightest swimmers in the region after breaking two meet records, so far.

 Kong bettered his own mark in the 200m individual medley, from two minutes and 32.42 seconds last year to a 2:28.66 clocking. He plunged back to the pool to shatter Anthony Linn Navarro’s record in the 200m backstroke with the time of 2:28.27. Navarro's old mark was at 2:33.64.

 Overall, Kong has already collected four individual golds and one in the team event through the 200m medley relay alongside Matthew Angelo Caneda, Robin Jakobsen and Clarence Israel Gabunada.

 In the 400m freestyle relay, however, USC upstaged UC in record-establishing fashion behind the efforts of Joshua Beltran and Aaron Grant Embuscado. The Carolinians timed 4:16.56.

 Aside from Kong, Trina Caneda gave UC not only gold but also a meet record in the 200m backstroke with the time of 2:53.48, eclipsing the 2:54.25 mark set by Romylin Nina Ignacio last year.

 Cynthjune Goden of USC and Frederick Chiongbian of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu were the other record-holders in swimming. Goden registered a record time of 2:49.93 in the 200m breaststroke, while Chiongbian smashed Earl Dublin’s 5:46.48 mark in the 400m freestyle with his 5:27.84 clocking.

 In the elementary division, USC are on course for back-to-back titles as it stayed on top of the heap with 70.25 points.

 UV lags behind by just nine pioints as Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu stands third with 40.7 points.

 Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) stands only at sixth spot right now, but still ended the day happy after defending its football crown.

The Bosconians shut down St.Thomas Learning Center-Danao, 4-0, in the final match, thanks to the goals delivered by Jude Estrada, Christian Agot, Kyle Adrian Ronquillo and Roygvib Barro. (FREEMAN NEWS)