FINIS Long Course Visayas leg up in Iloilo

MANILA, Philippines — FINIS Philippines kicks off its National Long Course Swim Competition Series with the staging of the Visayas leg this weekend at the Iloilo Sports Complex swimming pool in La Paz, Iloilo City.

Chief organizer and FINIS managing director Vince Garcia said over 200 swimmers from 25 teams and clubs have confirmed participation in the tournament serving as the brand’s final program this year.

“We’re happy and proud, despite the enormous effect of Typhoon Paeng in the region, a huge number of teams have confirmed their participation. Yung resiliency nila is very commendable and we in FINIS is doing our best to provide them an internationally-like competition environment,” said Garcia.

Garcia said Bacolod-based clubs such as John B. Lacson Swim Team, Megakraken, Aklan, Iloilo Tigershark and Capiz Turboshark have big delegations hoping to clinch slots for the national finals in December.

Other teams which have received Meet Info kits and entry forms include Binarayan Tadpole Swimming Club, Bohol Splashers, Buddy Swim Team, Capiz Eaglerays, Capiz Turbo Shark, Iloilo Starfish, Iloilo Tiger Shark, JBLFMU Dolphin, Salabite Swim Sting, Silay Orca, Sta Fe Crocs and University of San Carlos.

National member and FINIS ambassador Kyla Soquillon of Malay, Aklan is leading participants in fight for pride, glory as well as chances to join the high-profile FINIS lineup of brand ambassadors.

“This is an offshoot to the previous short course series we organized, so we expect the best of the Visayas to show up to form a competitive squad in the national finals,” said Garcia.

Top swimmers in the Visayas, Mindanao and Luzon legs clash for the national diadem on Dec. 17-18 in Clark.

Garcia also expressed his gratitude to the support and cooperation of local coaches in the culmination of the FINIS-American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Swim Coaching Certification Clinics last November 27-31 in Acropolis, Quezon City.

“A big kudos to our ASCA Certifier Coach Chad Onken in conducting the clinics and sharing a wealth of his experiences as an elite swim coach. Pasalamatan ko lahat ng sumali ng Swim Coaching Certification ng ASCA. Baka maulit namin sa March 2023. Hintay lang ng announcement sa maraming mga nag inquire kelan ang susunod,” quipped Garcia, an active triathlete and ‘Godfather’ to TODO Para-athletes.