San Beda keeps reign in NCAA swim

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda put up another dominating performance as it ruled the NCAA swimming competition for the ninth straight year at the Rizal Memorial Aquatics Center recently.

The Sea Lions outclassed the opposition as they amassed 1,248 points or a whopping 878.5 points ahead of the St. Benilde Blazers, who wound up with 369.5 points.

The Mapua Cardinals ended up third with 320.5 points at the end of the four-day competition.

“This is overwhelming,” said San Beda coach Dondon Roxas. “My swimmers really wanted to win it and honor our seniors.”

McGyver Reyes came through with a superb effort as he garnered a total of 212 points to emerge the Most Valuable Player of the meet in his final year with San Beda.

The 20-year-old Reyes capped his feat with golden swims in the 200-meter backstroke in two minutes, 19.08 seconds and 400m individual medley in 5:03.6 in the final day of competitions.

“I’m very proud of this victory because it’s my final year and I really want to win it for the school,” said Reyes.

San Beda’s nine-year reign is the longest since Mapua lorded it over the field for 14 straight seasons in the 90s.

San Beda, however, will try to make it 10-in-a-row next season without Reyes and 2009 MVP Theody Gavino due to graduation.

In juniors’ action, La Salle-Greenhills likewise ruled the meet to extend its title run to six years. It pooled 1,057 points, besting San Sebastian (483.5) and surprise third place Emilio Aguinaldo (275.5).

EAC’s Keiffer Piccio, a product of the Palarong Pambansa and the Philippine Olympic Festival, bagged the MVP trophy by finishing with 190 points.

St. Benilde topped the women’s division, which was staged as a demonstration sport for the second straight season, with 332.5 points, edging EAC (180) and San Sebastian (169).