Barreto creates ripples in Tarlac

CAPAS, Tarlac, Philippines — Southeast Asian Games veteran Miguel Barreto spearheaded a slew of Filipino tankers who made the final cut in yesterday’s start of the 11th Asian Age Group Swimming Championships at the New Clark City.

The 20-year-old Barreto finished second in the second of two morning heats of the men’s 18-and-over 200-meter freestyle as he clocked a minute and 53.79 seconds, good enough to make it to the eight-man finals where he emerged with the fourth fastest time.

The multiple Philippine National Games gold medalist later said he was pleasantly surprised with his solid effort.

“Hindi ko in-0expect mag-qualify sa finals at mag-place No. 2 sa heat ko since marami din malakas na hindi ko inexpect na sumali dito,” said Barreto, whose best time in this event was 1:53.55 he registered in the PNG at the PhilSports Complex pool in December last year.

In the finals, set at press time, Barreto, who will also plunge into action in his pet event 100m free tomorrow, will have a chance, while slim, to go for a medal against an ultra-competitive field.