Lorbes rips mark in PSL swim leg

MANILA, Philippines - Montessori de Manila standout Inaiki Emil Lorbes dominated the boys’ 100-meter butterfly in record fashion yesterday in the Philippine Swimming League (PSL) 55th Leg Series dubbed 1st Commodore Jaime Jimenez Sr. Swim Meet at the Mariners Polytechnic College Foundation in Rawis, Legazpi City.

Lorbes submitted one minute and 8.95 seconds to surpass the old mark of 1:09.97 and hit the triple AAA of American Standard time.

Also winning gold medals in the boys’ category were Kirsten Agao (50m butterfly 5 years, 1:11.00), Michael Gabriel Lozada (50m butterfly 7 years, 40.74), Jordan Ken Lobos (100m butterfly 10 years, 1:26.04), Romeo Renzo Teodoro (100m butterfly 13 years, 1:12.28), Jifrey Azor (100m butterfly 17 years, 1:05.72) and Bryan Yot Tan (100m butterfly 18 years, 1:03.27).

Topping their respective events in the girls’ class were Althes Golimlim (50m butterfly 5 years, 1:17.93), Zyrilyo Magtibay (50m butterfly 9 years, 1:20.82, Bella Louise Magtibay  (50m butterfly 12 years, 1:18.27), Angelica Medrano (50m butterfly 13 years, 1:15.0), Trisha Ann Oliveros (50m butterfly 15 years, 1:16.00) and Arlyn Arcadio (50m butterfly 18 years).

Eliza Jimenez, wife of the late Commodore Jaime Jimenez Sr., was the guest of honor in the opening ceremony along with Mariners president Dante Jimenez, who welcomed swimmers from neighboring provinces in Bicol as well as participants from National Capital Region.

“We are happy to host this event and we’re hoping that you’ll be having a great time staying here in our beautiful province,” said Commodore Jimenez during the opening rites.

PSL president Susan Papa said the competition serves as tryout for the 2015 Universiade in Gwangju, South Korea and other international tournaments in Hong Kong and Singapore .

“The opening ceremony is one of a kind experience for our swimmers with Cadets of Mariners Entrance of Colors coupled by Drum and Bugle with marjorette captivating performance.

“This is one venue that I can announce to be the PSL training ground in this region. We can not ask for more. The swimming pool is here, the education facility is complete as it is inside the premises and nutrition supply is available. This is a perfect place for potential swimmers,” said Papa.