Bata siblings shine in FINIS swim national finals

MANILA, Philippines — With dominant showings in their respective age groups, siblings Jilian Celestine and JB Matthew Bata of Megakraken Swim Team from Iloilo City emerged the Most Oustanding Swimmers at the close of the 2022 FINIS Long Course National Championships at the New Clark Aquatic Center in Capas, Tarlac yesterday.

The 14-year-old Jilian captured the gold medals in the girls’ 13-14 class 100m back (1:19.61), 50m fly (34.44), 100m fly (1:21.39), and 50m back (34.93), while finishing second in the 200m IM (3:03.75),  100m breast (1:44.20), and 50m free (31.61) to top her age bracket with an accumulated 68 points.

Her younger brother JB Matthew excelled in the boys’ 11-12 100m back (1:19.67), 50m back (36.07) and 50m butterfly (35.30) aside from winning the silvers in the 200m IM (2:58.76), 100m fly (1:29.43), 100m breast (1:31.48), and 50m free (31.60) for 66 points.

Dr. Maricel Bata, the mother of the two outstanding swimmers, expressed mixed emotions with the achievement of her children.

“Masayang, medyo malungkot at nalilito,” said Bata. “I just received an information that somebody in the Iloilo Province Team currently playing in the Philippine Sports Commission-organized Batang Pinoy in Vigan, Ilocos Sur have used the name of my son as one of its swimming participants,” said Bata.

Also shining was Trixie Ortiguera of Tarlac Aquatics Swim Club, who garnered 78 points in the girls’ 15-16 class after winning the 100m backstroke (1:11.26), 50m fly (30.78) 50m free (28.86), 200m IM (2:43.28), 100m fly (1:15.45), 50m back (32.30), and bronze in the 100m breast (1:31.92).

Six-year-old Kail Dominic Kahulugan of the Kidapawan Long Wave Swim Team added two more golds in the 100m fly (2:05.06), and  50m fly (56.02), while Gideon Ancheta of Marikina Poseidon Swimming clinched the gold in the boys 7-8 100m backstroke (2:05.06), and  50m fly (46.32).

The other MOS awardees were Pia Severina of Sharpeedo (63 points) in six-under, Arriane June Cesista of Thresher Skark (56) in 7-8 class, Lofiel Angelie Posadas of Megakraken (67), in 9-10 boys, Theodore Tanpinco and Jeush Tibus  (69) in 11-12 girls, Kyle Marie Belicena in 11-12 boys (81), Jarold Kesley Camique  in girls’ 15-16 (58), Rolando Escat, Jr. in boys’ 17-18 (77), Deb Plenago in girls’ 17-18 (70), Jennuel Booh de Leon in 19-over girls (69), Adriana Yulo in 190-over girls (81) and Noel Celwyn Cartera in boys’ 19-over (81).

The Megakraken Swim Team was awarded as best team with a series combination points of 894.50 followed by Tarlac Aquatics Swim Club (355.50), Sharpeedo Swim Team (336), Aqua Dragon Swim Team (207) and Aklan Swimming Club (203).