Capas, Tarlac—Thanya Dela Cruz broke a pre-pandemic national record in the women’s 50-meter breaststroke to set the tone on the first day of 2021 Philippine Swimming, Inc. Swimming National Selection, Friday at the New Clark City Aquatic Center.
The 18-year-old from Marikina City erased the previous record with a new mark of 32.89 seconds, breaking Joy Rodgers’ 32.93 established in the very same venue back in December 2019 during the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Rodgers ended up behind Dela Cruz with a finish of 33.94 seconds.
Dela Cruz, an Ayala Harpoons Swim Club standout, also topped the field of eight swimmers in the women’s 50-meter freestyle with 27.92 seconds, way ahead of second-placed Trixie Ortiguera of Tarlac Mako Sharks SC’s 29.31 seconds.
“Sobrang saya kasi sobrang tagal nating hindi nakapag-swim. I mean, so coming here wala namang expectations, just to get back the feeling lang,” Dela Cruz said. “I didn’t expect na mag-rerecord.”
SEA Games’ campaigner Sacho Ilustre clocked the fastest time in the men’s 100-meter butterfly with 57.13 seconds, just a few ticks away from upstart Joshua Ang of the Golden Sea Eagles who clocked in at 57.44.
Ayala Harpoons’ Miguel Barreto also held his fort in the men’s 400-meter freestyle with a time of 4:07.37, as QC Buccaneers’ Chloe Daos touched at 4:39.21 to take the women’s side.
Ryan Marco Tirol, also of the Harpoons, topped the men’s 50-meter breaststroke with 30.05 seconds. Meanwhile, John Niel Paderes and Shayne Lugay won the men’s and women’s 100-meter backstroke with 1:01.22 and 1:10.38, respectively.
In the women’s 100-meter butterfly, UAAP Season 82 Girls’ Swimming MVP Camille Buico dominated with 1:03.94.
Ted Laminta of the D’Ace Seahawks also finished way ahead of the pack which includes Ianiko Limfilipino’s 2:16.04 with 2:13.89 in the men’s 200-meter individual medley, while lone participant in the women’s side Xiandi Chua ended with 2:25.32.
Seb Wong, also of QC Buccaneers and the brother of SEA Games wushu gold medalist Agatha, made his mark when he swam the fastest in the 50-meter freestyle. The 22-year-old touched at 24.00 seconds for the win.
The second day of the selection meet that is backed by Philippine Sports Commission, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, and the Clark Development Corporation is set on Saturday.