ATENEO banked on a battle-tested veteran to nail a four-peat in the men’s division, while its women’s team unveiled a new phenom in the pool to reclaim the throne Sunday in the UAAP Season 80 swimming championships.
Behind two-time Olympian Jessie Khing Lacuna, the Blue Eagles led right from the opening day to finish with 567 points and annex their fifth title overall at the Rizal Memorial Swimming Pool.
De La Salle placed second behind Ateneo with 328 points, while University of the Philippines collected 191 points in third place in the four-day swimfest.
With a seven-gold medal romp that underscored the Eagles’ domination in the pool, Lacuna took his third MVP award. His teammate Miguel Barlisan bagged the Rookie of the Year plum after scooping two golds, one silver and one bronze.
Ateneo has a new heroine in Chloe Daos, who won six golds and a silver to emerge as the Rookie-MVP.
The Lady Eagles, who have now four crowns to boot, needed a strong effort in the final day to end up with 483 points, 46 ahead of runner-up Lady Maroons.
University of Santo Tomas complete the podium finishers with 105 points.
UST and De La Salle-Zobel, meanwhile, successfully retained their titles in the boys’ and girls’ divisions.
The Muntinlupa-based tankers swept the MVP awards, with Sacho Ilustre and Nikki Pamintuan emerging triumphant once more.
Terence Delvo of University of the East and Maria Consuelo Neri of UP Integrated School emerged as the boys’ and girls’ division top rookies.