BLSS-trained DLSZ tankers bag UAAP titles

MANILA, Philippines - The De La Salle Zobel School’s Lady Junior Tankers made history last weekend when they bagged their very first championship in the 13-17 Girls Junior Division of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) season 79 at the Rizal Memorial swimming pool.

The Lady Junior Tankers’ victory also dealt former champion UST a shocking defeat, frustrating its grand slam bid in this category.

Spearheading the onslaught was back-to-back MVP Nicole Meah Pamintuan who garnered 100 points to again clinch the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award. She also broke three UAAP records (100 free in 1:00.02, 200 IM in 2:27.55 and 200 back in 2:28.54) on top of her six gold and one bronze medal. 

Pamintuan’s campaign was supported by her teammates Bela Louise Magtibay who won two gold medals and broke one UAAP record (200 breast in 2:48.34), Raven Faith Alcoseba with two golds and one silver medal, Milcah Therese Mina with one gold and one silver medal and their gold medal winning 4x50 freestyle relay composed of Jana Laurian, Luisa Pascual, Shannen Tan and Julia Burgos.

“We are happy that all our hard work in training has paid off and I’m thankful for the unwavering support of our parents and the passion of our coaching team. Bert Lozada Swim School really stepped up our program which included more strength and conditioning and even mental preparation. We were able to really deliver this year, but hopefully this is just the beginning,” said team captain Liam Antony Tangan.

“The support provided by the BLSS Hi Performance Training Program is the team’s unique advantage,” added Anthony Lozada, BLSS CEO and former varsity swimmer and alumnus of La Salle.

The Lady Junior Tankers also beat University of the Philippines, National U and University of the East.

The DLSZ Lady Junior Tankers are the junior representatives of De La Salle University-Manila in the UAAP.

Meanwhile, the Junior Tankers also won the second runner-up trophy over NU, UE and UP.

Leading the charge was Maurice Sacho Ilustre who also retained his MVP title by garnering 105 points and winning gold in all his seven events, all in record time (100 free in 53.76, 800 free in 8:37.92, 400 free in 4:06.21, 100 fly in 57.17, 200 free in 1:55.96, 200 fly in 2:04.05 and 1500 free in 16:57.11).