PSL bets sparkle in Perth swimfest

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Swimming League (PSL) got off to a hot start, winning eight gold, two silver and three bronze medals on the opening day of the prestigious 2014 Australia Swimming Championships – All Stars Swimming Challenge being held at the Challenge Stadium in Perth .

University of Santo Tomas (UST) standout Sean Terrence Zamora led the onslaught of the Filipino tankers as he bagged five golds in the boys’ 13 years category. He ruled the 50-meter freestyle (26.64), 100m breaststroke (1:17.24), 50m butterfly (29.24) and 100m backstroke (1:07.41) then anchored the Team Asia in copping the 4x50m freestyle relay gold medal in the 13-14 years class.

“I was feeling weak because of the long travel plus the cold weather but we started with prayers by the Filipino priest and the support of the Filipinos inspired me to swim all out,” said Zamora, a Grade 8 student at UST Pay High School.

University Athletic Association of the Philippines champion Delia Angela Cordero of University of the Philippines also made her presence felt by winning the girls’ 17-over 50m butterfly gold medal in 30.28 seconds.

“It was my first long travel and got so tired but I am happy with this experience. I would like to thank the PSL for giving me this opportunity to once again represent our country,” said Cordero.

Lans Rawlin Donato of Angeles University Foundation chipped in one gold in the boys’ 15 years 50m butterfly (28.19). “I was uneasy. The swimming stadium was huge and air-conditioned but I just want to win,” Donato said.

Donato, Martin Pupos and Sean Elijah Enero were members of the Team Asia that won gold in the boys’ 4x50m freestyle relay (15-16 years).

Enero added silver in the boys’ 14 years 50m freestyle and bronze in the 50m butterfly while Paul Christian King Cusing took silver in the boys’ 13 years 200m backstroke, and bronze in the 200m backstroke and 200m breaststroke.

“The PSL swimmers started with a blessing from Father Concorde Bagaoisan who travelled for almost two hours by land just to pray over the swimmers. Jorge Embido of Filipino community of Mandurah made all the effort to contact the Filipino community,” said PSL president Susan Papa.

“All of these are not possible without the Filipino community of Mondurah and Filipino community in Perth. We are thankful to them,”she added.