Cebu Blue Marlins rule G-League swimfest

CEBU, Philippines - Hosting the first of the two-part 2011 G-League Regional Long Course Swimming Championships proved rewarding for the Cebu Blue Marlins (CBM) after they punched in 1,069 points to clinch the overall title over the weekend at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Silliman University of Dumaguete City was a far second with 550 points followed by the Bohol Dolphins with 421 points.

Aside from the overall championship, several CBM bets also emerged as the most outstanding athletes in their respective categories.

Anthony Linn Navarro, one of PHL's representatives to the 2011 SEA Age-group Swimming Championships in Vietnam this July, hauled a total of seven golds to come out the best in the boys 13 bracket.

Michael Ichiro Kong likewise showed his might on the pool with five golds to become the most dominant entry in the boys 12, while Jobert Indaya’s three golds were enough to make him the top boys 9 competitors.

Rocin Jakobsen ruled the boys 14 class with a gold and two silvers, while Noel Cañeda’s five golds and a silver made him the best among the boys 18-above participants.

The rest who were named as the most outstanding swimmers were Karen Mae Indaya with five golds and two silvers (girls 11), Lyh Ann Navarro with six golds and a silver (girls 12), Razel Cabajar with four golds (girls 13), and Romilyn Niña Ignacio with three golds and a silver in the girls 16-under.

The other CBM mainstays who made valuable contributions to the lone Cebu team were Paula Abigail Vega with two golds, three silvers and a bronze, Christine Indaya, Joshua Rosada and JE Rose Rosada with one gold each, Tara Kyla Ebon with 1-1-1, Annita Munterola with 1-2-1, Danielle Mae Ballesteros with a gold and two bronzes, Trina Cañeda with 1-2-1, and Beth Mae Arellano with a gold and three silvers.

Medal wise, CBM of head coach Rolando Alvarez raked in a total of 49 golds, 43 silvers and 34 bronzes followed by Silliman’s 27-20-11 medal haul.

After Cebu, action shifts to Antique for the second leg of this event. — THE FREEMAN