Chua, Paderes score swim trebles

MANILA, Philippines — Xiandi Chua snared a third gold medal in the 2021 Philippine Swimming, Inc. (PSI) National Selection yesterday by ruling the women’s 100-meter freestyle at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.

The 20-year-old SEA Games silver and bronze medalist was a cut above the rest as she was the only one among 10 entries who went under a minute at 59.68 seconds. Camille Buico took the silver in 1:00.34 while Chloe Daos the bronze in 1:00.35.

It was the third mint for the All-Star Swim Club bet after ruling the 200m individual medley and the 200m free.

“My times in this meet weren’t really good because my times went up,” said Chua, who teamed up with Remedy Rule, Nicole Oliva and Jasmine Alkhaldi in snaring the 4x100m relay freestyle silver and 4x200m relay freestyle bronze in the 2019 SEA Games also in Capas.

“But I think it’s a nice opportunity to race again because I was able to see where I’m actually at and how I can improve on it in training,” she added.

John Neil Paderes likewise made it a treble after ruling the 50m backstroke in 27.77 seconds to add to his victories in the 100m and 200m free early in this three-day meet backed by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and Clark Development Corp. (CDC).