‘Retiree’ Lizza still makes waves in SEAG qualifier

Maria Lizza Danila came out of a two-month retirement to put up a shining performance in the first day of the Bank of Commerce National Open Swimming Championships at the Rizal Memorial Sports Center pool yesterday.

Competing just to push the young swimmers to come up with a better time, Danila surprised even herself as she topped the 100m freestyle with an impressive clocking of 59.69 seconds.

Danila, double-silver medal winner in the last Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam, beat China-trained tankers Marichi Gandionco (1:01.25) and Heidi Ong (1:01.59) for top honors in this event serving as the final qualifier for the coming SEAG.

"I was surprised because I’m just here to push the others. Parang ako ang na-push for another SEA Games stint," said Danila after breaching the one-minute mark and surpassing her personal best of 1:00.01 in the 100m freestyle.

Philippine Amateur Swimming Association president Mark Joseph said that clocking could already be good for the RP team although they would still check their criteria after the five-day meet.

"Hopefully, I could make the team for my fifth SEA Games. And hopefully, it turns out a lucky five," said Danila who announced her retirement in June in favor of law studies.

The long-legged swimmer, representing the Alabang Gators, made it two-of-two in the first day of the event by ruling the 200 backstroke also on a new personal best clocking.

Curiously, Danila said she just continued swimming during her brief retirement for physical fitness.

"I didn’t know that my level of swimming is this high," said Danila.

Danila clocked 2:24.99 in the 200m backstroke, improving her previous best of 2:25.46.

Ryan Arabejo topped the 400m individual medley (4:47.79), Evan Grabador ruled the 200m backstroke (2:12.44) and Jenny Guerrero reigned supreme in the 200m IM (2:29.67).

Swimmers already seeded for the RP team are Miguel Mendoza, Miguel Molina, John Walsh and Jaclyn Pangilinan.