In a remarkable showcase of depth, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons formally crowned themselves “queens of the pool” in the UAAP Collegiate Swimming on Sunday, Nov. 9, at the New Clark City Aquatics Centre in Capas, Tarlac.
Big thanks to Quendy Fernandez, the Fighting Maroons amassed 472 points to overpower last season champion Ateneo (255) for its 22nd women’s division title. La Salle came in third with 222 and University of Santo Tomas finished fourth in 204.
Fernandez, the 20-year-old sophomore, shone in the women’s 50-meter backstroke—the same event that earned her a Southeast Asian Games slot—setting a new UAAP record of 29.35 seconds to break her previous mark of 29.85. UST rookie Isha Villa (31.71) and UP’s Kate Dequina (31.74) finished a distant second and third, respectively.
In the women’s 50-meter freestyle, Fernandez (27.51 seconds) led a team sweep as Atasha Dela Torre (27.79) and Thanya Dela Cruz (27.89) joined her on the podium.
UP also showcased teamwork in the women’s 400-meter medley relay, where Dequina, Dela Cruz, Nikki Sarmiento, and Colette Adanza powered through for a 4:31.16 finish, ahead of DLSU’s 4:37.12 and UST’s 4:50.10.
University of the Philippines coach Marichi Gandionco highlighted the team’s “always ready” mindset heading into the Championships.
“Every year, we always prepare ourselves to make sure everyone does their best. We always know that there’s gonna be mishaps that could come our way; unfortunately, these were what cost us the championship last year. This year, coming in, it was really more of keeping that mindset that we can always stay up there and that trying to get it back is no easy task,” said Gandionco, a former UP swimmer.
Reflecting on the season’s success, Gandionco credited both the current roster and new recruits for the team’s triumph.
Ateneo’s Mishka Sy completed her bid for a second consecutive MVP title after ruling the women’s 200-meter butterfly in 2:24.54, finishing the season with six golds and one silver.
UP’s Aubrey Tom edged UST’s Shairinne Floriano (2:25.92) to finish second in 2:25.65 in the same event, earning her the rookie-of-the-year title with one silver and two bronze medals.
Floriano, meanwhile, claimed gold in the women’s 200-meter breaststroke, touching in at 2:45.12 to hold off Ateneo’s Maica Garcia (2:46.20) and DLSU’s Milcah Mina (2:50.16).
