Mondonedo shines in PAI national trials

MANILA, Philippines — Unheralded local bets Billie Blu Mondonedo, Maxene Hayley Uy, Sophie Rose Garra, and Liv Abigail Florendo emerged champs at the close of the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) 50-meter long course National Trials at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool in Malate, Manila yesterday.

Mondonedo, a US-born Filipina swimming for the FTW Royals Swim Club, fortified her inclusion in the Philippine team with an astonishing performance in the girls’ 16-18 100m freestyle, clocking 56.64 to surpass the SEA Age Qualifying Time Standard (QTS) of 58.41.

The 17-year-old claimed her third QTS gold medal in the event also marked by superb performances from Uy, Garra and Florendo.

“We’re happy to see some unfamiliar names breaking the standard time. This proves that PAI swimming club members are seriously adopting the training program we crafted,” said PAI sec-gen Batangas 1st District Congressman Eric Buhain.