Ateneo’s Dato claims Team UAAP fifth gold

MANILA, Philippines - Ateneo swimming ace Hannah Dato gave Team UAAP-Philippines its fifth gold by topping the women’s 50-meter butterfly event late Tuesday in the 17th ASEAN University Games in Palembang, Indonesia.

Fresh from her stint in the FINA World Championships, Dato, the Season 77 MVP, clocked in 28.33 seconds to beat Thailand’s Supasuta Sounthornchote, who placed second with 28.63 seconds.

Team UAAP-Philippines also scooped two silver medals courtesy of University of the Philippines swimmer Denjylie Cordero in the women’s 200-meter breaststroke and newly minted Season 77 MVP Janry Ubas of Far Eastern University in the men’s long jump.

Cordero was a second slower to eventual gold medalist Malaysia’s Erika Chia Kong as she recorded a time of 2:38.97 to finish in second place.

Ubas, who led the Tamaraws to a fifth consecutive championship recently, recorded a leap of 7.30 meters to settle for a silver medal behind winner N.A Sukhasvasti (7.58 meters) of Thailand.

As the ASEAN University Games enters the homestretch, Team UAAP-Philippines’ medal tally is now pegged at five golds, seven silvers and eight bronzes in fifth place.

The Phl student-athletes earlier won four golds, four silvers and four bronze medals in taekwondo. The country also captured a bronze in women’s volleyball behind standouts from UAAP champion Ateneo.

Other Team UAAP-Philippines bronze medal winners were Ateneo tanker Ariana Herranz in the women’s 200-meter backstroke and FEU track and field mainstay Kenny Gonzales in the men’s javelin throw.