MANILA, Philippines - University of the Philippines’ (UP) tankers dive into the Trace Aquatics Center pool in Los Baños starting today with the goal of keeping the men’s and women’s swimming crowns in UAAP Season 74.
The Fighting Maroons scored a double last season, their first in 13 years, and are hoping to annex a 12th women’s title and a 17th men’s crown in the four-day swimming competitions that end Sunday.
The Lady Maroons have remained intact for Season 74, with Jackie Juinio, Claire Adorna, Bea Grabador and Tin Hipol returning to complete a potential back-to-back conquest. Also on the roster is Whitney Dy, the former Immaculate Conception Academy ace and a standout in the Palarong Pambansa.
Standing in UP’s way is 2008 titlist Ateneo, which will rely on rookie Kim Uy who is expected to fill the void left by Season 73 MVP Denjylie Cordero, as well as De La Salle, which will parade two-time high school MVP Ingrid Ilustre.
The Fighting Maroons, on the other hand, has ASEAN University Games veteran Ken Uy, Kim’s elder brother, in its roster, although the Green Archers are expected to give the Dilliman swimmers a tough fight behind Johannsen Aguilar, the Season 73 Rookie of the Year.