LANCE JACOB BAUTISTA and Ivoh Gantala collected three gold medals in their respective age-group as action in the boys division heat up on Saturday in the second leg of the Reunion Swim Challenge at the Teofilo Ildefonso Pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.
Bautista made the Aquaknights Swim Team proud by emerging as the most successful swimmer in the boys 11-year-old category with victories in the 100-m breastroke (Class A) with a time of one minute and 30.83 seconds, 200m breast in Class B (3:09.65) and 100m butterfly in Class C (1:41.90) in the competition organized by the Congress of Philippine Aquatics Inc. (COPA).
“We’re glad that we’re swimming again after the lockdown and I feel proud because I was able to win my events,” said the fifth gradfer at the Amadeo Elementary School in Cavite.
The pride of Eastern Aquatic Swim Team of Antipolo City, Gantala made his presence felt in the 10 years old Class A 100m butterfly with a winning time 1:27.30. He annexed the 50m backstroke gold (38.88) and 100m breast (Class B) title in 1:43.70.
“I trained even during the vacation period,” said Gantala, a Grade 4 student-athlete scholar at the RJSMC Montessori Center in Antipolo City. “I wanted to set an example to my fellow youngsters that I can focus both on my studies and sports over playing mobile games.”
COPA co-founder Chito Rivera and Technical Head Richard Luna awarded the medals to the winners in the first of the two-day competition supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.
Action resumes on Sunday with the competitions in the girls’ side.
“We’re back. It’s a good turnout, our swimmers are happy because they played in a good environment, it’s’ an Olympic-size pool and the competition is managed by professional technical officials,” said Rivera also the varsity coach of Jose Rizal University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
“Aside from competitions, we’re also preparing the resumption of our ‘Train the Trainors’ programs. With Batangas Congressman Eric Buhain leading the COPA, no doubt, we can achieve our goals in swimming,” Rivera added.
The other winners were Evan Mathew Elmos of Sta. Rosa in the 8 years 100m freestyle (Class A, 1:45.86), Caleb Pascua of Gree Blasters (Class C, 2:21.26), Dominic Young of Eastern in the 11 years 100m breast (Class B, 1:41.19), Manuel Nuyana of Aquaknights (Class C, 3:13.11), Christoffe Boletche in the 12 years 100m breast (Class A, 1:25. 46)m Sebastian Castejon (Class B, 1:36.94) and Mark Perez (Class C, 1:56.77).
Joining the winners’ circle are Asthon Jose in the 13 years old 100m breast (Class A, 1:17.26), Luize Quiambao (Class B, 1:26.38), Patrick Lapuz (Class C, 1:43.32), Yuri Acidre in the 14 years old 100m breast (Class A, 1:16.42), Greg Anthony Muyong (Class B, 1:21.59), Aguila Solis (Class C, 1:35.35), Eleardo Manobo in the 15-over 100m breast (Class A, 1:13.20), Yao Acidre (Class B, 1:20.11) and Sean Red Villarete (Class C, 1:33.24).