Mojdeh, White lead winners in PSL swim leg

MANILA, Philippines - Veteran international campaigner Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh and promising tanker Heather White led the opening day winners as they bagged two gold medals each yesterday in the 81st Philippine Swimming League (PSL) National Series – Davao Swim Meet being held at the Tagum City Sports Complex.

Mojdeh, an Immaculate Heart of Mary College-Parañaque standout, topped the girls’ 9-10 50m backstroke (42.85) and 50m butterfly (35.89) while White ruled the girls’ 7-8 50m backstroke (43.72) and 50m butterfly (42.12).

Christian Paul Anor, Bernice Elesterio, Duja Danielle Mabalod and Yuan Gabriel Taojo joined the list of double-gold medalists in the tournament which serves as tryout to select swimmers for international competitions.

Anor won golds in the boys’ 15-16 100m backstroke (1:05.13) and 200m individual medley (2:24.31); Elesterio reigned supreme in the girls’ 13-14 100m backstroke (1:20.44) and 200m individual medley (2:26.66); Mabalod dominated the girls’ 6-under 50m backstroke (1:03.61) and 50m butterfly (1:17.32); Taojo pocketed mints in the boys’ 7-8 50m backstroke (45.38) and 50m butterfly (46.70).

“We’re happy that we were able to give opportunities to these young swimmers to qualify for the Summer World University Games to be held in Taiwan in 2017. We believe that we have a lot of talented swimmers in this region that’s why we decided to stage a competition here,” said PSL president Susan Papa.

The other gold medalists were Eryk John Omandam (boys’ 9-10 50m backstroke, 38.53), Ian Gabriel Natividad (boys’ 17-over 100m backstroke, 1:13.76), Zhakira Idulsa (girls’ 11-12 100m backstroke, 1:19.99), Bea Amparo (girls’ 15-16 100m backstroke, 1:25.48), Girly Estares girls’ 17-over 100m backstroke, 1:36.50), John Marion Albano (boys’ 11-12 100m backstroke, 1:18.63), Josiah Paul Lozano (boys’ 13-14 100m backstroke, 1:14.46), Erika Suelan (girls’ 11-12 100m butterfly, 1:23.03), Mariel Angela Sorolla (girls’ 13-14 100m butterfly, 1:15.91), Mae Pajarito (girls’ 17-over, 1:38.04) and Arvin Pormillos (boys’ 17-over 100m butterfly, 1:07.83).

“We would like to thank Davao Sea Lions of Edgar Lora and Rey Rasay, and Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario through provincial sports officer Giovani Golanes for hosting the 81st PSL National Series,” said Papa.

Besides Universiade slots, the tournament also offers slots for international competitions like the 2015 Royal Bangkok Swim Meet, 2016 Phuket Invitational Swimming Championship and the 2016 Indian Ocean All Star Challenge in Perth, Australia.

The PSL is a national sports swimming association for Universities and Colleges accredited by the Federation of School Sports Associations of the Philippines (Fessap), internationally affiliated member of Federation of International Sports University (FISU).