CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Blue Marlins Swimming Club bagged the most number of medals, but just settled for second place overall after losing on points to host Iloilo Sea Warriors in the 4th Dinagyang National Age-Group Swimfest yesterday at the Iloilo Sports Complex in Iloilo City.
CBM of coach Rolando Alvarez hauled a total of 35 golds, 25 silvers and 19 bronzes but due to shortage of manpower, they were not able to join in some relay events where big points are at stake.
The Iloilo Sea Warriors clinched the championship with 4, 092 points, 61 points ahead of Cebu's lone representative to the two day contest. The Biniyaran Tadpoles finished third with 1,690 points.
The fourth to eighth placers were the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club (885), Aklan Aqua Blades (866), Bohol Dolphins (519), Capiz Eagle Rays (226) and Nautilus (75).
CBM rounded up its campaign with 12 golds, 12 silvers and eight bronzes.
As an added bonus, CBM saw six of its bets emerging as the most bemedalled in their respective categories led by Labangon’s Karen Mae Indaya and Cebu Eastern College's Lyh Ann Navarro.
Indaya, who dominated the girls 9-10 class with five golds, was also named as the most outstanding swimmer among the developmental division entries, while Lyh Ann Navarro ruled the 11-12 category with six golds and a silver that merited her the most outstanding athlete in the 11-above classification.
Three University of Cebu (UC) varsity players competing under the banner of CBM were also identified as the most bemedalled swimmer - Trina Cañeda in the 13-14 class with three golds, two silvers and a bronze, Paula Abigail Vega in the girls 18-above with five golds and a silver and Dandre Lumapas in the boys 18-above with a gold and two silvers.
Lyh Ann's brother Anthony Linn Navarro was the most bemedalled in the boys 11-12 with four golds.
The rest who carted away medals for CBM were Anthony Navarro II with a gold, two silvers and a bronze, Joebert Indaya with two golds, a silver and a bronze, Michael Ichiro Kong with a gold and four silvers, Tristan Kirk Ebon with a gold, a silver and three bronzes, Razel Cabajar with a gold and four silvers, Beth May Arellano with a gold, a silver and four bronzes, Romylin Niña Ignacio with three bronzes, Mary Arlette Baller with a gold, a silver and four bronzes and Aimee Sanchez with a gold, three silvers and two bronzes. — THE FREEMAN