Nikita Dacera and Paula Abigail Vega won the Olango Challenge 2008: Swim for a Cause in Mactan Island yesterday.
Decera representing PCEAS finished the 5-kilometer open water swim around Olango Island in 1:02:40.26 while the 15-year-old Vega of the University of Cebu crossed the finish line in 1:14:55.
Vega’s win more than made up for her not making the 2008 Palarong Pambansa in Puerto Princesa, Palawan after contracting pneumonia. At first, Vega didn’t even think of entering the race because she was scared of swimming in open water but her family was able to convince her to change her mind.
PCEAS made it a 1-2 finish in the men’s division with Keifer Ticao submitting a clocking of 1:05:03.88. Joshua Desamerto of Lake City Swim Club came in third in 1:08:22.76. Water Polo’s Raphael Evan Grabador was fourth with 1:09:45.01 and another PCEAS bet Emanuele Plasabas took fifth place with a time of 1:09:45.01.
Marvie Borja, of Lake City Swim Club, finished second to Vega in :20:52.96 while Blue Dragon’s Dennice Juliet Cordero was third with 1:27:13.45. Katrina Rubi of Island Souvenirs was fourth with 1:29:19.60 while Larrisa Ang was fifth with a time of 1:38:05.56.
Among the fun swimmers, Akiko Thomson, showed why she was once the country’s top swimmer by finishing first with a time 1:24:13.25. Tomas Artigas and Bernard Tanchan finished second and third, respectively.
Island Souvenir’s boss, a former triathlete, Jay Aldeguer made his presence felt by finishing fifth also in the fun swim category. He had a 1:44:15.81 clocking.
The fin swimming category saw Gerwin Domingo and Rhoda Trisha Darnayla ruling their divisions. – Caecent No-ot Magsumbol