MANILA, Philippines – Nakalikom ang Philippine Swimming League (PSL) ng kabuuang 871 puntos upang masungkit ang ikaapat na puwesto sa championship race ng 2015 Japan Invitational Swimming Championship na ginanap sa Tokyo International Swimming Pool sa Tokyo, Japan.
Umani sina Most Outstanding Swimmer awardees Kyla Soguilon ng Kalibo Sun Yat Sen School at Charize Juliana Esmero ng University of the Philippines Integrated School ng tig-80 puntos para pamunuan ang koponan sa torneong nilahukan ng China, US, Great Britain, Netherlands at host Japan.
Nag-ambag naman si Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh ng Immaculate Heart of Mary College-Parañaque ng 77 habang may 76 si Rio Lorenzo Malapitan ng Divine World College-Calapan Mindoro at 73 si Sean Terence Zamora ng University of Santo Tomas.
Nakapagbigay din ng 67 si Angela Claire Torrico ng Holy Spirit School-Quezon City, 65 si Lans Rawlin Donato ng Univesity of the Philippines at 63 si Drew Benett Magbag na isa pang miyembro ng UP swimming team.
“We are satisfied with our performance in Japan and we are hoping to double the number of our delegation when we participate again next year. This competition is one of the toughest tournaments that we’re joining but it’s a good exposure for them,” pahayag ni PSL President Susan Papa.
May tig-61 puntos naman sina Paula Carmela Cusing ng Diliman Preparatory School at Lucio Cuyong 2nd ng Aklan Swimming Team, 60 mula kay Paul Christian King Cusing ng Diliman Preparatory School, 58 mula kay Joanna Amor Cervas ng Aklan Swimming Team, 40 mula kay Kobe Soguilon ng Aklan Swimming Team at 11 mula kay Edmundo Tolentino Jr.
Napasakamay ng St. Mary’s International School Swimming Team na pinamunuan ni International Swimming Federation (FINA) World Cup veteran Joshua Brown ang pangkalahatang kampeonato habang pumangalawa lamang ang British International School at ikatlo ang American International School.
“It was a great experience for our swimmers as they were able to compete against these strong teams. Some members of these foreign teams participated in the FINA World Cup just recently,” dagdag ni Papa.
Labing-apat na Pinoy tankers lamang ang ipinadala ng PSL ngunit nagawa nitong humakot ng 39 medalya tampok ang 19 ginto.