Piccio, Cordero rule Bautista Cup swim meet

MANILA, Philippines - Keiffler Piccio and Denise Angela Cordero emerged most outstanding swimmers in the first leg of the Mayor Herbert Bautista Cup age group swimming championships yesterday at the Olympic-size Amoranto swimming pool inside the Amoranto Sports Complex on Roces Ave., Quezon City.

The 15-year-old Piccio, who comes from a family of national golfers and swimmers, took the gold in the 400m freestyle, 200m backstroke, 200m breaststroke, 200m butterfly and 50m freestyle in the 15-17 age group category of the event, the first of four monthly competitions held by the Philippine Swimming League under president Susan Papa.

The four-part age group competitions, held in honor of Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and sponsored by Growee and Freego, are staged in cooperation with the Amoranto Sports Complex under sports administrator Andy Apostol.

Cordero, 14, coached by her father-national mentor Dennis, reigned in the 400m free, 200m backstroke, 200m breaststroke, 200m butterfly and 50m freestyle.

Other most outstanding swimmers were Dominique Ramirez (6-under girls), Charles Ticbaen (6-under boys), Nirel Marie Ibarra (7-8 girls), Geoffrey James Liberato (7-8 boys), Paula Cayanan (9-10 girls), Sean Terrence Zamora (9-10 boys), Alexandra Nacpil (11-12 girls), Hans Ramos (11-12 boys), Alfred Maglabe (13-14 boys) and Millicent Matienzo (15-17 girls).

The Susan Papa Swimming Academy won the overall team championship, with the Bosay Swimming Team first runner-up and MCU second runner-up.

The Philippine swimming League will conduct the remaining legs on Oct. 2, Oct. 29, and Nov. 27.

“Thereafter the PSL will choose the candidates who will undergo an intensive training program for international competitions,” said Papa.

Information: Ed Galeno 09265893600 and Emer Matienzo 09174548038.