Davide leads winners in ASAP age group swim meet

MANILA, Philippines - Hilario Davide IV, grandson of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Hilario Davide, claimed two more gold medals and finished with five to emerge most outstanding winner in the two-day Aquatic Sports Association of the Philippines (ASAP) age-group swim meet which ended yesterday at the Rizal Memorial pool.

The 10-year old Davide, coached by former national tanker Susan Papa, won the 100m backstroke and 200m freestyle yesterday to cap his dominance in the 9-10 age group of the tournament staged by the newly organized ASAP and participated in by over 500 swimmers from 81 schools.

Fatima Jaitulla, 18-year-old daughter of Olympic great and three-time Asian Gamer Jairulla Jaitulla, reigned in the 100m of the freestyle, backstroke, butterfly and breaststroke to finish most outstanding swimmer in the 18-above category.

Ana Nicole Tan added the 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle to her three golds Saturday to top the 11-12 section.

Loren Echavez, 15, who came all the way from Cebu, made an impressive appearance with a four-gold medal haul.

The other outstanding swimmers in their age groups were Alyssa Marie Garay (four golds, 6-under), Akiko Cris Amaro (2 golds, 7-8), Paula Cayanan (4, 9-10), Myka Chua (3, 13-14) in the girls division and Jo Lander Molina (2, 6-under), Sean Terence Zamora (5, 7-8), Alfred Karl Maglabe (5, 11-12), Dunn Clarke Vinluan (3, 13-14), Gian Berino (5, 15-17) and Jeron Mercader (5, 18-over).

Lawyer Ma. Luz Arzaga-Mendoza, president of ASAP, led the presentation of medals to the winners in ceremonies also attended by ASAP officials and coaches.

The coaches included Cesar Espino, Joey Andaya, Emer Matienzo, Jaitulla, Dennis Cordero, Augusto Bonilla, Vincent Indig and Manny Thruelen.