Six Bicolanos earn Universiade slots in PSL-Bicol leg

MANILA, Philippines - Veteran campaigner Jifrey Azur headed the list of World University Games qualifiers during the Philippine Swimming League (PSL) 64th Leg dubbed Jaime Jimenez-El Presidente Swimming Championship held at the Mariners Polytechnic University Foundation swimming pool in Rawiz, Legazpi City over the weekend.

Azur, a bronze medallist in the Cape Town Swimming Gala in South Africa, will be joined by fellow Bicolanos Aldrick Formaran, Joaquin Maronilla, Isidro Lastimosa, Arlyn Arcadio and Romeo Galvez.

“We created the PSL to democratize swimming and make it a swim for all, to develop youth as fully integrated members of society not just to  promote,” said PSL president Susan Papa.

Azur took the Most Outstanding Swimmer (MOS) award in the boys’ 17-over category while Arcadio dominated the girls’ 17-over event.

The other MOS winners were Aidepp Merriel de Luna (girls’ 6-under), Alea Faye Tence (7 years), Margaret Lianna Dee (8 years), Isis Arnaldo (9), Zyrilyn Monica Anonuevo (10), Christine Keith de Luna (11), Hannah Imelda Sartorio (12), Jean Andrei Vasquez (13), Abigail Jade Austria (14), Alexandra Maronilla-Seva (15) and Trisha Anne Oliveros (16).

Also topping their age-groups were Ythnmthw Orellana (boys 6-under), Richard Aquitana (7), Gian dela Torre (8), Julius Vasquez (9), Jordan Lorbos (10), Carl Tence (11), Mervier Mirandilla (12), Daniel Rubio (13), Peter Hernandez (14), Namahig Mahiwo (15) and Emmanuel Adornado (16).

All MOS winners will also represent the country in the Royal Bangkok Meet scheduled in November in Thailand.

Saint Agnes Academy bagged the overall title with 730 points while Albay Falcons Swim Club (304) and Quezon Killer Whales (302) settled for the second and third, respectively.