Ato, Coliyat stand out in PAI Open Water National Tryouts

MANILA, Philippines — Southeast Asian Games campaigner Graziella Sophia Ato and Rio Stephen Coliyat delivered dominant performances, capturing two gold medals each in the recently concluded Philippine Aquatics Inc. (PAI) National Open Water Swimming Tryouts held at Boracay New Coast in Malay, Aklan.

The victories secured them slots on the Philippine team that will compete in the 4th Southeast Asian Open Water Swimming Championships scheduled for August 21-23 at the same venue.

Ato, a 16-year-old standout from Raois, Vigan, Ilocos Sur, swept the girls’ events. The Grade 11 student of Great Heights Learning Center topped the girls’ 16-17 5-kilometer race and the under-18 10-kilometer event.

Representing the One Ilocos Sur Team under the guidance of Olympian Ryan Arabejo, Ato ruled the grueling 10-kilometer race with a time of 2:24:56, finishing ahead of Stacey Arabelle Bee of Bacolod (2:27:59) and Jeda Lorrine Cruz of Ilustre East (2:35:27.513).

She also won the 5-kilometer race in 1:09:41.835, edging Bee (1:09:49.944) and hometown swimmer Nuche Veronica Ibit (1:12:06.670).

Coliyat, also 16 years old from Batangas and a product of Batang Pinoy, completed a golden double in the boys’ division. He captured the under-18 10-kilometer title in 2:16:15.000, narrowly beating Jeanne Dominic Bongotan of Baguio (2:17:07.827) and Zyrhed Pajas of One Ilocos (2:22:57.508).

In the boys’ 15-17 5-kilometer race, Coliyat clocked 1:03:41.303, pulling away in the final stretch to defeat Pajas (1:03:52.895) and Giro Don Rafael Gito of La Salle (1:04:21.967).

Other podium finishers were Anton Della of La Union (02:07:22.262), Marc Justin Yu of Negros (02:16:34.519) and Lyon Pascua of One Ilocos (02:21:57.507) in the boys 10km Under-20; Alexander Lawrence Yu of All Star (02:08:53.170), Joshua Delmo of Ayala Harpoon (02:06:30.000) and Paulo Miguel Labanon of Ayala (02:16:31.376) in 10kn over 20 class;

Alfonso Joaquin DeMesa (01:06:28.478), Rie Mones (01:08: 28.282) and Marcus Ubungen (01:1o:55.462) in the boys 5km 14-15 class;  Mark Justin Yu (01:02:41.839), Lyon Pacua (01:02:42.690) and Jan Pau Baulo (01:03:30.646) in the boys 5km 18-19; Paolo Miguel Labanon (01:02:21,749), Reiniel Lagman (01:02:22.120) and Joshua Del Rio (01:02:26.05) in the 5km 20-over;

Makayla Fetalvero (01:10:11.441), Raziel Villas (01:13:51.594) and Maria Isabella Raagas (01:15:38,855) in the girls 5Km 14-15 class; and Jie Angela Mikaela Talosig (01:13::47.569), Alexis Bailey Tan Uy (01:18:44.557) and Amanda Tongson (01:21:51.711) in the girls 5km 20-over.

PAI Secretary-General Eric Buhain congratulated all the medalists and qualifiers, emphasizing that continuous training remains a key part of the national team’s preparation for upcoming international competitions.

“We are proud of the performances of our swimmers, especially Graziella and Rio, who showed determination and consistency throughout the competition,” Buhain said. “This is only the beginning of our preparation for the Southeast Asian Open Water Championships. We will continue to provide the athletes with the support and training they need to compete at the highest level.”

Buhain also thanked Speedo, the MVP Sports Foundation, and the local government unit of Malay, Aklan led by Mayor Floribar Bautista for their support in staging the successful event.

“We are grateful to our sponsors and to the local government of Malay for helping us host a world-class open water competition in Boracay,” Buhain added. “Their support is vital in developing Philippine aquatics and giving our athletes the best possible environment to excel.” (Pool story)