PSL picks candidates for 2013 Universiade

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Swimming League has chosen 31 boys and 24 girls from the collegiate level and upcoming stars from the elementary and high school division to undertake training for the Universiade in 2013 and beyond.

The candidates were chosen from the PSL-Diliman Preparatory School National Students All-Star Challenge last weekend at the Rizal Memorial swimming pool.

PSL president Susan Papa, who organized the competition in cooperation with the DPS under its president and former Sen. Nikki Coseteng, said the selection committee picked the top 4 from each event to form the initial batch of trainees for the Universiade slated in Kazan, Russia in 2013.

The second national trials will be held in August. The best swimmers from these two meets will form the final pool of swimmers that will be trained for a whole year for the University Games, a biennial competition considered the Olympics for University students from 168 countries.

Papa said a Canadian or American coach will help the swimmers prepare for the Universiade.

The PSL has been designated by the Federation of Sports Schools Associations of the Philippines (FESSAP), the only accredited national university sports association for swimming. The FESSAP is the accredited country member of the Federation of International Sports Union, which organizes the Universiade.

“The Universiade has been the stepping stone in the careers of most of the greaest athletes of the world,” FESSAP president David Ong said as he commended the PSL for preparing national swimmers this early.

Coseteng, a sports patron who is behind the resurgence of swimming in the Philippines, said she is happy that the PSL has been accredited by the FESSAP to be the national university sports association for swimming.

She said the selection of upcoming stars from the elementary and high school level will give the Philippines a wide pool of swimmers that can be tapped for the 2015 Universiade.

Among the young hopefuls are Christen Mercado, 15, who clocked 25 seconds in the 50m freestyle, 29 seconds in the backstroke and 32 seconds in the breaststroke; Paula Cayanan, 12, (28.35, 50m freestyle and 1:03, 100m freestyle), Jeron Mercader (1:01, 100m butterfly) and Ralph Kevin Claveria (26.9, 50m butterfly).

Palarong Pambansa champion Gian Berino is currently in the US on a swimming and academic scholarship.

The qualifiers:

Boys: Jeron Mercader, Ralph Kevin Claveria, Jerome Magallanes, Andrei Lorenzo Manzo, Christen Mercado, Orpheus Magbanlac, Samuel Ongjoco Gregory, Whinson Ybardolaza, Rizaljun Jurado, Sean Garchitorena, Vhon Delima, Ron Angel Serrano, Roque Hizola, Arabejo, Raymond Sevilla, Kenneth Landicho, Manuel Bretana, Carl Patrick Bormate, Yannick Echiverri, Madrigal Gerard, Miguel Thruelen, Gerald Madrigal, Angel Villanueva, Jao Elamparo, Benseen Ong, Troy Limjap, Karlo Marfori, Robbie Villanuva, Gabriel Hofer, Alsimar Hajan and Nikita Dacera.

Girls: Claire Adorna, Bebony Tudio, Antoinette Aquino, Dennise Juliet Cordero, Venice Mendoza, Denise Tiquia, Jacjie Junio, Ariane Velasquez, Jodie de Leon, Cherilyn Jurado, Christine Hipol, Jannica Sibal, Astrid Magallanes, Kaycee Ibanez, Joy Rodgers, Denjyli Cordero, Andrea Fuentes, Kimberly Briones, Elaine Sabroso, Ghem Daya, Anyah Gimena, Christine Hipolito, Milca dela Cruz and Bea Grabador.

Developmental Boys: Skyler Claveria, Emannuel Lorbes, Kio Abacahin, Hans Christian Ramos, Jose Gabriel Lavina, Darwin Tumaneng, Maurice Ilustre, Nathan Anthony Cheng, Jericho de Leon, Michael Sangalang, Vanne Yumol, Mathew Thomas Tan, Rafael Barreto, James Uy, Carl Bormate, Benidict Geneta, Nooh Abdulrahim, Fitzgerald Hofer, Alfred Carl Maglabe, John Carlo Doragos, Asa Mahiwo and Emman Adornado. 

Developmental Girls: Paula Cayanan, Priscilla Aquino, Trisha Anne Oliveros, Delia Angela Cordero, Aniyah Gimina, Mhikcoloe Abina, Anna Nicole Tan, Carmenrose Matabuena, Kyle Mendoza, Jaymee Ortega, Aliya Cortado, Jean Milicent Bornasal, Christine Mendoza, Angelica Medrano, Zsuzsanah Gatchalian, Eunice Mendoza, Andrea Pacheco, Celyn Parco, Julianne Torres, Portia Kate Doragos and Suzzane Vernon Himor.