UAAP’s top athlete hopes for another SEAG stint

For tanker Luica Dacanay, winning the UAAP Athlete of the Year award is sweeter the second time around. But what motivates the University of the Phils. stalwart is another likely stint with the national team in the Southeast Asian Games in December.

Dacanay, who raked in seven gold medals in Season 69 of the UAAP to bag the league’s top honors for the second straight year, missed the gold medal in 400m medley relay in the Manila SEA Games two years ago and is itching to prove his worth this year.

"I hope I can make the team again," said Dacanay, referring to the biennial games slated Dec. 6-16 in Bangkok.

On her way to a second UAAP Athlete of the Year trophy, the 21-year-old Dacanay reigned supreme in the 50-meter, 100m and 200m butterfly, 100m and 200m backstroke and 200m and 400m individual medley. It was also her third straight seven gold medal haul.

"I didn’t expect this, my mother and grandma were also a bit surprised," said Dacanay, one of those honored during UAAP Season 69 awards rites at the University of the East Theater over the weekend.

Outgoing UAAP president Luz Sta. Ana of UE said Season 69 was a big success despite coming in with just seven teams following De La Salle’s suspension.

"We exceeded our expectation in terms of attendance and in spite of some sponsors backing out," said Sta. Ana, who is expected to turn over the league’s rein to host University of Santo Tomas’ Fr. Ermito de Sagon, OP, as the new president.

UST’s Felicitas Francisco will also take over from UE’s Bren Perez as secretary-treasurer.

"There were also no brawls, no throwing of bottles, only minor outbursts by some athletes and coaches, which is understandable because of their desire to win," she added. – Joey Villar