Medal so elusive for Philippine tankers

CAPAS, Tarlac, Philippines — Down but not out.

After a heartbreaking opening day, the Filipino tankers continued their pursuit of a breakthrough medal with Jamesray Mishael Ajido and Heather White reaching the finals in the 11th Asian Age-Group Swimming Championships at the New Clark City here yesterday.

Ajido moved on to the boys’ 12-14 50-meter freestyle finals after submitting the third fastest time of 24.24 seconds in the heats while White, quintuple gold winner in the last Batang Pinoy, was second in the girls’ 15-17 50m free in 24.67 and third in the 100m butterfly in 1:03.63.

Ajido’s effort came a day after he missed out on a medal in his four finals events of the competition that offers qualifying points to the Paris Olympics in July.

Miguel Baretto also missed a breakthrough medal for the hosts by finishing fourth in the 18-over 200m free finals in 1:53.79, just behind bronze winner Tran Hung Nguyen of Vietnam (1:53.77).

Baretto plunges back into action in his pet event – the 100m free – today. Another local bet seeking a medal is Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh in the girl’s 15-17 400m individual medley.