Palaro gold medalists vie in Hong Kong meet

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Swimming League is sending a strong 36-member junior swimming team, led by two Palarong Pambansa gold medalists,  to the 2013 Stingray Invitational Swimming Meet set May 17-19 at the Hong Kong International School.

Maurice Sacho Ilustre and Paula Ann Regine Cayanan, who both represented overall champion National Capital Region in the Palaro in Dumaguete, will spearhead the country’s campaign in the three-day meet.

At 13, Ilustre won three golds and one silver medal in the secondary boys’ event while Cayanan two mints and one silver in the secondary girls’ category.

Ilustre dominated the 800-meter freestyle in nine minutes and 15.05 seconds  and the 200m butterfly event with a time of 2:17.45. He and  Mark Rominquit, Rafael Sta. Maria and Alnair Guevarra comprised the team that won  the 4x100 freestyle gold medal. He wrapped up his campaign with a silver medal in the 400m freestyle.

“I’m really impressed with his performance. Imagine, he’s only 13 years old and stands below five feet and he won the gold. He’s really motivated to win,” said PSL president Susan Papa.

Cayanan earned gold medals in the 200m medley relay with Jan Kyle Mendoza, Joy Rogers and Priscilla Aquino, and 4x100m freestyle with Aquino, Kirsten Daos and Catherine Bondad. She added one silver in the 100m freestyle.

“As early as possible, we want to give them proper exposure to improve their skills and mental strength. It’s part of our grassroots development program. These are the future of Philippine swimming,” added Papa.

Recently, the PSL swimming team bagged nine gold, three silver and two bronze medals in the Long Course 2013 Phuket Swim Championship held at the Thanyapura Sports Club in Phuket, Thailand.

Former Palarong Pambansa multi-gold medalist Gian Daniel Ong Berino claimed six gold medals – in the 200m freestyle, 200m backstroke, 100m backstroke, 800m freestyle, 400m freestyle and the 400m individual medley.

Other members of the team: Samuel Gregory Ongjoco, Kara Thereze Colaste, Jason Ryan Difuntorum, Vince Mikko Dimaano, Lowenstein Julian Lazaro, Rein Pauline Marie Labay, Christine Keith de Luna, Risamy Ruz, Shelimi Ruz, Charize Juliana Esmero, Emmanuel Adornado, Arnaud Arnaldo, Iris Arnaldo, Isis Arnaldo, Lawrence Christopher Bariso, Monica Eirene Bariso, Jerome De Leoz, John Paul De Leoz, Raniel Joshua Delgado, Bradley Lucillo, Namahig Asa Mahiwo, Trisha Anne Oliveros, Zinder Isaac Perez, Ashley Marie Rances, Mary Audrey Rances, Fergino Raneses, Daniel Andre Rubio, Francis Adrian Rubio, Hannah Imelda Sartorio, Jea Kassandra Talavera, Patricia Bianca Talavera, Matthew Thomas Tan, Ma. Angela Paula Villamil and Maria Sophia Mae Villamil.