Berino, Mercado, Cayanan break meet records

MANILA, Philippines - Palarong Pambansa standout Gian Berino, Chriten Mercado and Singapore age-group champion Paula Cayanan reset two meet records each as they led the winners on the first day of the Aquatic Sports Association of the Philippines (ASAP) national age group swimming competitions yesterday at the Rizal Memorial pool.

Competing in the 13-14 age group, Berino, winner in the Palarong Pambansa since 2007 and coached by Joey Andaya, broke the norm in the 100m freestyle in 57.94 seconds and the 100m butterfly in 1:04.46.

Mercado, from the Southern Tagalog Amateur Swimming Association in Cavite, broke the mark in the 50m breaststroke (35.56) and the 50m backstroke (31.53) in the 11-12 group.

Cayanan, who won the 50m fly and 50m breaststroke in the Singapore Island Country Club swim meet recently, reset the 11-12 age group marks in the 100m freestyle (1:14.19) and 50m breaststroke(46.69).

Other record breakers among over 400 participants from Bohol, Bicol, Pampanga, Leyte, Bacolod, Cavite, Bulacan and the National Capital Region were Sean Terrence Zamora, Sidney Miralao, Rosemary Occena, Ella Miralao, Duncan Vinluan, Eyasha Camus, Thim Concon, Clarissa Peneyra, Christian Ivan Salud, Priscilla Aquino, Kevin Mercado, Charima Binder, Miggy Arellano, Nicole Tan, Delia Angela Cordero, Ian Christian de La Cruz and Natalie Fredensborg. 

The competition is being staged for free by the ASAP as part of its nationwide grassroots development program The meet, organized by former national player Susan Papa, was officiated by newly appointed ASAP officials led by Alfredo Mascardo, Edgar Galleno and Emer Matienzo and supported by the Rotary Club of Manila Remedios Circle headed by Marcelino Dalin and members of the RC District 3810.

The meet opened with the national anthem played by the Navy Band, the release of balloons, and the singing of the Lord’s Prayer by Sharon Gayatgay, Philippine representative to an international singing competition in Finland in November.

District 5 Councilor Mon Yupangco delivered the opening remarks for the two-day event graced by ASAP president, international lawyer Luz Arzaga-Mendoza.