MANILA, Philippines — A 19-man Philippine team comprised of swimmers from all over the country vies in the 45th Southeast Asian Age Group Aquatics Championship slated Aug. 24-26 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Multiple national junior record holder (13-under class) Jamesray Michael Ajido from Quezon City leads the cast of tankers who met the qualifying standard criteria set during open tryouts at the Teofilo Ildefonso swimming pool in Malate for the Manila bets, in Vigan, Ilocos Sur for Luzon hopefuls and in Dumaguete for the Visayas and Mindanao swimmers.
Meanwhile, US-based Fil-Ams Clark Kent Apuada and Ava Samantha Bautista made it after submitting qualifying time duly signed and authenticated by the US league organizing head. The former qualified for the boys 15-16 100m free (53.72) and the latter for the girls 15-16 50m fly (28.44), 100m fly (1:03.20), and 200m fly (2:23.46).
“The best of the best as I see it. And since talagang nagpa-tryouts tayo all over the country, well represented ang mga regions sa composition ng team which is a good sign that swimming is changing for the better. They not only represent the Philippine colors but also give pride and honor for their cities and provinces,” said Philippine Swimming secretary general Eric Buhain, an Olympian and congressman for the first district of Batangas.