UP dethrones Ateneo in controversy-marred UAAP swimming meet

MANILA, Philippines - University of the Philippines romped off with a twin kill in the controversy-filled UAAP Season 76 swimming competitions over the weekend at Trace Aquatics Center in Los Baños, Laguna, with the Lady Maroons scoring a five-peat in the boycott-marred hostilities and the Maroons dethroning Ateneo as champs.

The Lady Maroons piled up 587 points built around the four-gold haul of Claire Adorna and the seven-mint collection of sisters Delia and Denjylie Cordero to run away with their fifth consecutive tiara over Ateneo, which was a faraway second with 387 points. La Salle placed third with 115 points.

Adorna, who was initially barred from competing due to her stint in the Universiade but eventually given the go-signal to play, swam to the golds in 100 meter freestyle (59.42), 400m free (4:33.69), 200m backstroke (2:23.53), and 100m back (1:06.38), shattering two UAAP records.

Denjylie Cordero of the Philippine Swimming League reset the national record in the 50m breast stroke (34.01) while ruling the 100m breast (1:14.06), 200m breast (2:37.75) and 200m individual medley (2:25.58). Sister Delia topped the 200m freestyle (2:09.91) and 200m butterfly events (2:21.34).

Controversial UP freshman Mikee Bartolome contributed a gold medal in the 200m medley (2:06.75), along with a silver in the 100m back (1:07.84) and a pair of bronze in 200m back (2:32.10) and 50m back (31.69).

Bartolome is the swimmer who secured a temporary restraining order from a Quezon City Court directing the UAAP to stop implementing its two-year residency rule for high school grads transferring to another UAAP team.

The league reverted to its old one-year sit-out requirement and tried to stop Bartolome from swimming. Commissioner Richard Luna, considering the court order, eventually let the Lady Maroon swim and left it to the UAAP board to decide later on if it will forfeit Bartolome's feats.

As a a "sign of protest," swimmers from rival schools like Santo Tomas "pulled out" of Bartolome's events, with the Tigresses withdrawing from the women's competitions altogether.

UP completed a double victory as it amassed 452 points to reclaim the men's crown it last won in 2010. La Salle placed second with 301 points while holder Ateneo settled for third with 283 points.

Gabe Castelo, a former Blue Eaglet standout,  led the Fighting Maroons with conquests in the 50m fly (26.26) and 100 fly (57.45) while Charlie Walker cornered the 50m back (27.33) and 50m free (24.05).

La Salle star Johan Aguilar (five gold and two silver medals) earned a three-peat as men's MVP, duplicating the feat of Enchong Dee, while Ateneo's Celina Gonzalez (four golds, three silvers) claimed her second women’s MVP award in three seasons.

UP’s Christen Mercado and Ateneo's Thea Caluma were adjudged top rookies.