Nicole Meah Pamintuan adds 3 more swim golds

MANILA, Philippines — Former Palarong Pambansa standout Nicole Meah Pamintuan kept her perfect campaign going in the National Age Group Swimming Championships yesterday by splashing her way to three more golds at the Rizal Memorial pool.

Pamintuan, who bagged six golds in the girls high school division of the 2017 Palaro held in San Jose, Antique, had close wins in the girls 19-over 200-meter freestyle (2:11.35) and 50-meter freestyle (28.30) but easily won the 100-meter back stroke event (1:07.08) to emerge as the most bemedalled athlete after two days of action.

Three-time Palaro MVP Maurice Sacho Ilustre fell one gold medal short of matching his La Salle Zobel teammate’s haul, clinching the boys 19-over plum in the 200-meter freestyle (2:01.37) and 50-meter butterfly events (26.33), but was relegated to the bronze in the thrilling 50-meter freestyle race (24.80).

Jexter Jansen Cjia topped the race in 24.57 seconds, nosing out silver medalist Seb Wong (24.68) in the meet organized by Philippine Swimming Inc.

“I am glad I could still compete because of the new age group that was added in the tournament. These victories feel good,” said a delighted Pamintuan after going five-for-five so far in the swimfest supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.     

“I’m just happy to be here since they added the new age group. I should no longer be competing in this tournament under the old format,” said Ilustre, 18, who will be an incoming freshman this semester at La Salle.  

Sharing the limelight was Rafael Barreto,who raised his tally to three mints with victories in the boys 16-18 50-meter butterfly (25.57) and 50-meter freestyle (24.62).

Securing their third golds apiece in as many outings were Xiandi Chua, who breezed through the girls 16-18 400-meter individual medley race in 5:07.01, and Kirsten Chole Daos, who ruled the girls 19-over 50-meter butterfly (30.28).