Ateneo eyes twin UAAP swimming golds

MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo seeks another golden double in the men’s and women’s divisions as the UAAP Season 78 swimming competitions opens at 8 a.m. Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Swimming Pool.

With reigning MVP Jessie Khing Lacuna and last season’s Rookie of the Year winner Aldo Batungbacal leading the charge, the Blue Eagles amassed 540 points to dethrone University of the Philippines, which placed second with 325 points.

Lacuna, an Olympics and Asian Games veteran, won seven gold medals to help Ateneo capture its second men’s championship in three years.

The Lady Eagles, meanwhile, ended a six-year title drought last season by collecting 468 points to unseat the Lady Maroons (430) in the throne behind the efforts MVP Hannah Dato and Season 77 top rookie Ariana Herranz.

A veteran internationalist, Dato won three gold medals in last year’s ASEAN University Games in Palembang.   

In the juniors division, Ateneo seeks a record 11th consecutive boy’s title, while University of Santo Tomas hopes to reign anew in the girl’s side.

The four-day competition marks the debut of National University.