PSL begins countdown to 2015 Universiade in 50th leg Nov. 23-24

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Swim League, the national sports association for swimming of the Federation of School Sports Associations of the Philippines, begins its countdown to the 2015 Universiade with the staging of the fourth Sen. Nikki Coseteng Swimming Championship Nov. 23-24 at the Rizal Memorial swimming pool.

PSL president Susan Papa said the swim meet, 50th leg of the PSL Series, the longest-running swimming grassroots program in the country, will serve as an initial tryout to discover young talents to be sent to the 2015 Universiade in Gwangju City in South Korea.

The PSL is the recognized member association for swimming of FESSAP, the country member of the International Union of School Federations (FISU) based in Switzerland. The FISU, which holds the biennial World University Games, maintained the status quo of FESSAP as FISU member in a general assembly held during the last Universiade in Kazan, Russia last July.

“This is an early-registration competition for the Universiade, and we are inviting both high school and college students to register for a chance to represent the country in the biennial meet,” said Papa.

The Universiade, also known as World University Games, is a multi-sport event considered the Olympics for colleges and universities. It has 166 member countries.

Among the expected turnout of more than 500 swimmers are the La Salle Dasmariñas varsity team headed by school athletic director Gerry Sergio, and the UAAP champion UP team of head coach Noel Rivera.

The competition is open to members and non members of the PSL.

Papa said other teams will come from Aklan, Capiz, Bicol, Bataan, Antique, Zambales, Bulacan, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Quezon City, Navotas, Baguio, Isabela, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon Province, Lucena, Laguna, Pampanga, Pasay, Antipolo and Metro Manila.

“This will be a big event as it will be a selection for Universiade 2015 for college students whose ages range from 17-28 years old, and age-groupers aged seven to 17 year,”said Papa.

The other highlight of the competition is the selection of age-groupers going to South Africa in February 2014.

“This is a great opportunity for our young swimmers,” said Coseteng, a big supporter of swimming.

At stake are 720 medals, 28 trophies for most outstanding swimmers (male/female) and two grand trophies for PSL male and female record breakers.

“As promised record breakers during the last 49th PSL Leg series, are free of registration for two days in this meet,” said Papa.

The record breakers from the 49th leg are Kyla Soguilon, Paula Ann Regine Cayanan, McTracy John Alindogan, Jie Lord Isanan, Lance Cruz, Aubrey Tom, Bridgette Raine Bultron, Gabriel Andrew Neluna, Angela Niones, Jackelyn Calvadores, Aldrick Jethro Formaran,  Sean Kenrick Manicad, Donalyn Parco, Royce Parco, Charles Emmanuel Ticbaen, Sean Terrence Zamora, Gabriel Labasan, Emanuel Joshua Lorbes, Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh, Andrea Jheremy Pacheco, Seth Isaak Martin, Bettina Bianca Ting, Francheska Ezzabella and Marc Bryan Dula.