PSL retains overall title in Singapore meet

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Swimming League (PSL) put an exclamation point to a successful title retention campaign in the 2014 Singapore Invitational Swimming Championship by hauling in 69 gold medals at the close of the tournament at the Singapore Island Country Club.

The PSL team added 55  silvers and 37 bronzes to its medal harvest, surpassing its 50-gold, 42-silver, 30-bronze performance last year.

Eight of its members also received the Most Outstanding Swimmer awards in their age groups.

Sean Terence Zamora bagged the award in the boys’ 13-14 category, Jesreel Francisco in the girls’ 11-12, Ma. Paula Angela Villamil in the girls’ 13-14, Angelica Mae Medrano in the girls’ 15-17, Delia Angela Cordero in the girls’ 18-over, Christen Mercado in the boys’ 18-over, Emanuel Solina in the boys’ 7-8 and Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh in the girls’ 7-8.

“We are happy with the outcome. It was indeed glory to glory. The first time we were here in 2010, we only started with 12 swimmers. Now, we are the back-to-back champions. It only shows that the grassroots development program of the PSL is effective,” said PSL president Susan Papa.

On the final day afternoon session, PSL won 24 more golds, including three from Medrano (100m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 100m breaststroke).

Zamora (100m free and 100m breast), Solina (100m free and 50m fly), Villamil (100m free and 50m fly), Mojdeh (50m fly and 100m breast), Patrick Tierie (boys’ 18-over 50m fly and 100m fly) and Jesreel Francisco (girls 11-12 100m free and 50m fly) contributed two golds each.

Joves and Daryl Concepcion also grabbed some spotlight by breaking records in their events. Joves registered 1:12.19 in the 100m back while Concepcion submitted 30.44 second in the boys’ 13-14 50m back.

“We have new and old swimmers in this international competition. We accelerated our program for novice so they may not only be exposed but would be learn early the world class way of meet,” said Papa.

“ I would like to congratulate the PSL for giving opportunities to these young swimmers to represent our country and give us honor and pride. I also commend their parents and coaches for letting their kids experience this kind of international competition,” said former senator and delegation head Nikki Coseteng.

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