Evangelista, Santor, Melencio sparkle in COPA NCR swimfest

MANILA, Philippines —  Aishel Evangelista, Patrica Mae Santor, and Ricielle Maleeka Melencio sparkled and claimed the Most Outstanding Swimmer (MOA) awards in their respective classes at the close of the Congress of Philippine Aquatics (COPA) ‘One For All-All For One’ National Capital Region Swimming Championships at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Center.

Overcoming emotions on the passing of his father-coach Elcid in heat stroke just a couple of weeks ago, the 14-year-old Evangelista scored a sweep of his last three events, hiking his medal haul to eight golds and one silver in the three-day tournament sanctioned by the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) and supported by Speedo and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

The UST Grade 8 student topped the boys’ 200m butterfly (2:20.16), 100m backstroke (1:07.94) and 50m freestyle (26.83). The Betta Caloocan swim Team pride earlier ruled the 100m freestyle (57.56), 400m IM (4:53.63), 200m freestyle (2:03.58), 100m butterfly (1:03.22), and 200m backstroke (2:27.58).

Meanwhile, Melencio was dominant in the girls 18-over class, stamping her class in the 100m backstroke (1:11.21), 50m free (28.97), 400m IM (5:30.21), 200m freestyle (2:17.63), and 100m free (1:02.76).

Santor,  a member of the Philippine Team in the Asian Age Group tilt last February in Clark, was victorious in the girls’ 16-under 200m butterfly (2:27.53), 400m Individual Medley (5:21.84), 200m freestyle ( 2:18.47), 100m freestyle (1:04.16), 100m butterfly (1:06.89) and 400m medley relay (4:56.87).