MANILA, Philippines — Masisilayan ang bakbakan ng pinakamahuhusay na bagitong tankers sa bansa sa 135th Philippine Swimming League (PSL) National Series - 2nd Sirib Swimming Championship na gaganapin sa Abril 21 hanggang 22 sa Marcos Stadium Swimming Pool sa Laoag, Ilocos Norte.
Mahigit 500 kalahok na ang nagkumpirma ng partisipasyon kung saan target ng mga ito na makakuha ng puwesto sa bubuuing national team na isasabak sa malalaking international tournaments kabilang na ang 2019 Summer World University Games sa Naples, Italy.
Naghahanda rin ang PSL sa paglahok nito sa 2018 China Invitational Swimming Championship sa Mayo 5 hanggang 7 sa Shanghai, China gayundin sa Japan Age-Group Swimming Championship sa Tokyo, Stingrays Invitational Swimming Meet sa Hong Kong at sa Bolles Swimming Championship sa Jakcsonville, Florida sa Amerika.
“We want to select swimmers as early as possible to train them for our international competitions. We want them to be 100 percent prepared both mentally and physically,” pahayag ni PSL president Susan Papa.
Nangunguna sa listahan ng mga kalahok si Philippine national junior record holder Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh ng Immaculate Heart of Mary College-Parañaque na inaasahang dodominahin ang girls’ 11-year category.
Kasalukuyang humahakot ng gintong medalya si Mojdeh sa Palarong Pambansa sa Vigan, Ilocos Sur bitbit ang bandila ng powerhouse National Capital Region.
Lalahok din si reigning Male Swimmer of the Year Marc Bryan Dula ng Wisenheimer Academy gayundin sina Diliman Preparatory School standouts Paul Christian King Cusing, Paula Carmela Cusing, Lee Grant Cabral, Albert Sermonia II at Francino Archer Corpuz gayundin sina Aishel Cid Evangelista ng West Manila Christian School at Trump Christian Luistro ng Hope Christian School-Legazpi.
Ang dalawang swimmers (isang babae at isang lalaki) na may pinakamataas na International Swimming Federation (FINA) points ang mabibiyayaan ng Presidential Trophy.
“We would like to thank Sirib headed by its president Gem Ablan for hosting this event as well as MX3 Myrna Lagaya for supporting our grassroots development program. We are looking forward to another successful edition of our National Series,” dagdag ni Papa.