JUNIOR standouts Aishel Evangelista of Betta Caloocan Swim Team and Patricia Mae Santor of Ilustre East Swim concluded their respective campaigns on a high note, emerging as the Most Outstanding Swimmers (MOS) in their age classes at the end of the “Go Full Speedo” Swim Series Long Course Swimming Meet Leg 1 on Sunday at the Teofilo Yldefonso swimming pool in Malate, Manila.
The 14-year-old Evangelista, a Grade 10 student at the University of Santo Tomas, dominated the boys’ 800m freestyle, clocking 9:01.32 against Joaquin De Castro of Ilustre East (9:45.24) and Marc Chua of Xavier School (10:12.60).
The win increased his gold-medal haul to five in the two-day competition organized by the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. and supported by Speedo, the Philippine Sports Commission, and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
Evangelista, a member of the National Team in the Asian Age Group Championships last February in New Clark City, also topped the 200m Individual Medley (2:18.45), 50m breaststroke (33.38), 100m free (57.64), and 50m backstroke (31.77).
The 16-year-old Santor matched Evangelista’s medal haul with victories in the 800m free (10:05.25) and 200m free (2:24.30), earning the MOS award in her age class.
The UST Senior High student previously won the 200m IM (2:31.22), 200m breaststroke (2:50.68), and 100m freestyle (1:02.80).
Makoto Nakamura of S’Ace Seahawks and North Cotabato phenom Jie Angela Mikaela Talosig of Midsayap Pirates also emerged as MOS in the girls’ 11-years and 18-years-old classes, respectively, with four and three gold medals each.
Makoto claimed the 800m free (10:29.86), 200m fly (2:47.39), 200m IM (2:45.64), and 50m breast (40.27), while Talosig, 18, delivered anew in the 800m free, clocking 9:44.96 to add to her previous victories in the 200m IM (2:33.32) and 100m free (1:01.80).
“We congratulate all the winners. We hope to see them in Leg 2 next month. Hopefully, we’ll see even better times in the next tournament,” said PAI Executive Director Anthony Reyes.
