Isleta, Chua make mark in national swimming tryouts

MANILA, Philippines -- The most decorated junior and elite swimmers made their presence felt on the final day of the Philippine Aquatics-organized National Tryouts at the Teofilo Yldefonso swimming pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Malate, Manila on Sunday.

World Championship campaigners Chloe Isleta and Xiandi Chua earned their place at the top echelon. Meanwhile, top juniors Michaela Jasmine Mojdeh, Heather White, and Jamesray Ajido registered multiple victories as they emerged as top contenders for the 44-man Philippine team that will compete in the 11th Asian Age Group Championships from Dec. 3-6 at the New Clark Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.

Isleta, a 25-year-old US-based and Arizona University mainstay, captured four gold medals, while the 24-year-old Chua dominated two events in the three-day meet that attracted the country’s best swimmers and foreign-based athletes.

Isleta, under the banner of One Ilocos Sur Swim Team coached by former Olympian Ryan Arabejo, topped the girls 18-over 100m backstroke (1:04.04), 100m freestyle (56.86), 200m freestyle (2:04.57) and 200m individual medley (2:18.06), while Chua, her teammate in the world tilt in Fukuoka last July, delivered in the girls 18-over 50m back (30.20), and 50m free (26.06).

“We’re happy to see them joining the tryouts. Umuwi sila mula sa US training para ipinakita nila rito ang kahalagahan ng slots sa National Team na kailangang mong paghirapan at hindi maaaring makuha dahil seeded ka na. Itong palakasan system at turuan sa pagpili ng mga atleta ang inaalis naming ni President Miko Vargas,” said Philippine Aquatics Inc. Secretary General and Batangas 1st District Rep. Eric Buhain.

The 14-year-old Ajido, a national junior record holder and two-time Southeast Asia Age Group medalist, was among the top-tier juniors that shone and received "probationary" status for the Philippine team after dominating the boys 12-14 200m back (2:15.76), 100m butterfly (57.12), 200m free (2:02.68), 200m IM (2:16.01), 50m back (28.90), 200m fly (2:15.22) and 50m free (24.91).

White, who lost to promising 14-year-old Trixie Ortiguerra in the girls 15-17 50m back on Day 2, recovered her bearing in winning the 50m free (27.78) against the pride of Tarlac, who submitted a timed of 27.78. The Vietnam-based White also won the 100m fly (1:03.48), and 200m  free (2:07.75).

Nicknamed the ‘Water Beast’, Mojdeh, a semifinalist in 2022 World in Lima, Peru claimed victory in the girls 15-17  200m fly (2:18.50), and 200m Im (2:25.52).

“Right now, probationary pa ang lahat. Ilalatag muna natin yung mga results sa unang tryouts sa Dipolog City last two weeks, then we will come out with the official list. Target natin yung World Aquatics 700 points, but kung wala yung pinakamalapit ang kukunin natin,” said tournament director Chito Rivera.

Other noted junior tankers who claimed "provisionary" status for the national team are Miguel Barreto in the boys 18-over 200m free (1:54.02), Kyla Louise Bulaga in the girls 12-14 200m Im (2:16.01) and 400m free (4:26.06); Arabella Taguinota in the girls 15-17 100m breaststroke (1:13.40); Chantelle Coleman in the girls 12-14 100m breast (1:19.82) and 50m breast (35.24); Kyla Louise Bulaga in the girls 12-14 200m Im (2:35.10); Joshua Ramos in the Boys 18 & Over 50m back (27.79); Peter Cyrus Dean in the boys 15-17 50m (27.74); Kacie Gabrielle Tionko in the girls 15-17 800m freestyle (10:03.51); Philip Santos in the boys 18-over 400m Im (4:52.68); Mishka Sy in the girls 18-over 400 IM (5:18.59); Patricia Santor in the girls 400m IM (5:19.23); Aishel Evangelista boys 12-14  400m Im (4:26.06); Thanya Dela Cruz girls 18-over 50m breast (31.83); and Ashton Clyde Jose in the boys 12-14 50m breast (32.57).