Dela Cruz nails 3rd gold in PSI meet

MANILA, Philippines — Thanya dela Cruz ruled the 100-meter breaststroke yesterday to emerge as the first triple-gold winner of the 2021 Philippine Swimming, Inc. (PSI) National Selection at the New Clark City Aquatic Center in Capas, Tarlac.

Dela Cruz, 18, clocked a minute and 11.28 seconds to clinch her third gold following triumphs in the 50m breaststroke and 50m freestyle the day before.

Dela Cruz made heads turn on opening day after she rearranged the 50m breaststroke record of 32.93 seconds set by Joy Rodgers in the Southeast Asian Games in Capas two years ago by timing in 32.89.

Meanwhile, SEA Games veteran Miguel Barreto posted contrasting results as he pocketed the 200m freestyle mint in 1:56.74 and missed a second gold after he was disqualified in the 400m individual medley due to an infraction during the turn from backstroke to breaststroke.

Ted Laminta snatched the gold that slipped out of Barreto’s hand by clocking 4:49.00 while Joshua del Rio settled for the bronze in 5:01.04 in this three-day meet backed by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), and the Clark Development Corp. (CDC).

Other Day Two winners were Camille Buico (50m fly), Xiandi Chua (200m IM), Jordan Lobos (100m breast), Seb Wong (50m fly), John Neil Paredes (200m back), Gianna Garcia (200m back), Michaela Mojdeh (400m free), and Hannah Sanchez (1500m free).