Berino, Mercado top ASAP tankers

MANILA, Philippines - Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Gian Berino ruled the 200m in the freestyle, breaststroke and backstroke in record time and completed his domination of the 13-14 age category in the Aquatic Sports Association of the Philippines (ASAP) national age group swimming meet yesterday at the Rizal Memorial pool.

Berino, from the University of the Santo Tomas, topped the 200m freestyle in 2:04.08, the 200m breaststroke in 2:50 and 200m backstroke in 2:22 to finish the two-day meet with five gold medals, all in record time.

Christen Mercado shared the Most Outstanding Swimmer (girls 11-12 category) award with similar five gold medals and the same number of meet records, her last three coming in the 50m fly (31.16), 100m back (1:08.83) and 50m free (27.94).

Paula Cayanan, from Rem Ortega Swimming club, also emerged the Most Outstanding Swimmer (11-12 girls category) by winning two more golds for a total of four in the event organized by ASAP secretary general Susan Papa and supported by the Rotary Club of Manila Remedios Circle headed by Marcelino Dalin.

Cayanan also broke the ASAP meet record in ruling the 50m fly (35.31) and 50m free (32.72).

The other most outstanding tanker (13-14) was Delia Angela Cordero, from Cabalen Swimming Club, who won five golds medals – in the 200m free, 100 back,100m fly, 200m back and 50m free.

Ella Miralao, from the Susan Papa Swim Academy, was the most outstanding girl performer in the 6-years-old category while Thim Concon, from the Sta. Fe Aquatics, was the most outstanding boy swimmer, winning three gold medals and breaking three records.

Other record breakers were Sdney Miralao, Claire Seyer, Charima Binder, Laurianne De la Cruz, Lans Donato, Alfred Karl Maglabe, Nicole Tan. Kevin Mercado, Christian Ivan Salud,Trisha Ane Oliveros, Karmela Peneyra, Klarissa Peneyra, Jaryl Morales, Julio Santos, Miggy Arellano, Nicole Eijansantos, Jstian† De la Cruz, Sean Terrence Zamora, Nirel Marie Ibarra, Myka Chua, Jeje Tolintino, Tom Allen Erojo, Rosemary Occeno, Nathalie Fredenborg, Nelwin John Jose, Jo Lander Molina and Priscilla Aquino.

ASAP president Ma. Luz Arzaga-Mendoza said she was impressed with the successful staging of the tournament which drew over 400 Metro Manila and out-of-town swimmers and was shown live on the internet yesterday.