By Edwin Rollon
Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) continues to gain momentum in its nationwide grassroots and elite development program as it strengthens its campaign to produce world-class swimmers and athletes in all aquatic disciplines.
PAI Secretary General Eric Buhain said the association’s holistic development program is now bearing fruit, thanks to the aggressive implementation of regional initiatives that include coaching and training activities, learn-to-swim programs, and a series of competitions aimed at discovering and developing future talents.
During the Tabloids Organization in Philippine Sports, Inc. (TOPS) “Usapang Sports” forum on Thursday at the PSC Conference Room, Buhain stated, “We congratulate our regional directors on their reelection, as they will continue guiding our swimmers to win competitions and improve their performance times.”
Buhain said the overwhelming turnout of participants during last month’s National Tryouts for the selection of the Philippine team to the 40th Southeast Asian Age Group Championships and the 20th Asian Age Group Championships highlighted the growing competitiveness of local swimming.
Over 1,000 young swimmers joined the tryouts, a remarkable number, considering that all participants were medalists at their respective regional championships.
“The level of competition in the national tryouts was truly intense because these swimmers are the best from their regions,” said Buhain, who, along with PAI president Miko Vargas, recently received a fresh mandate during the association’s elections last March.
Using the bronze medal benchmark from the previous age-group championships as the qualifying standard, PAI selected 24 swimmers for the Southeast Asian Age Group Championships in Malaysia, while 20 swimmers earned slots for the Asian Age Group Championships in Bangkok, Thailand.
The members of the PH Team to SEA AG meet who make the qualifying standard are Jamesray Ajido (100m butterfly, boys 16-18), Patricia Santor (100m fly and 200m fly, girls 16-18), Riannah Coleman (100m and 200m breaststroke, 16-18), Catherine Cruz (200m back, 16-18), and Jaella Mische Mendoza (100m free, 14-15). Also, 13 swimmers met the QTB criteria, and four swimmers met the QTC criteria.
The 17-year-old Ajido, who broke an Asian AG record in the 14-under class at the 2024 edition in Manila, also qualified for the team for the Asian Age Group (100m fly in the 17-18 class). Joining him are Anton Paulo Della (1,500m free, 17-18), Aishel Evangelista (1500m free,15-16), Zyrhed Pajas (1500m free, 15-16), Hermes Sadcopen (50m fly, 15-16), Jan Dwayne Malpas (400m free, 13-14), Audric Talosig (200m backm 13-14), Rhianna Coleman (100m and 200m breast, girls 17-18), Catherine Cruz ( 200m free and 200m back, 17-18), Kleone Moie (1500m free and 1500m fly, 17-18), Patricia Santor (50m, 100m and 200m fly), Brooke Saliba (200m breast);
Farrah Abouelkhir (200m breast, 15-16), Kyla Bulaga (200m fly, 200m breast, 200m and 400m IM), Krystal Ava David (50m breast), Liv Abigail Florendo (1500m, 50m and 100n free), Jaella Mendoza (200mm 400m and 800m free), Sophia Garra (50m, 100m and 200m back, 200m IM) and Adrienne Reese Tacuboy (200m breast).
Buhain added that the country is also planning to field teams in water polo, diving, artistic swimming, and open water swimming.
“Many people think aquatics is only about regular swimming, but aquatics actually consists of five disciplines. That’s why we are aggressively strengthening our programs to become competitive in all areas,” Buhain said in the forum sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Behrouz Persian Cuisine, and Pocari Sweat.
The Philippines is also preparing to host the 4th Southeast Asian Open Water Swimming Championships from August 21 to 23 at Boracay New Coast in Aklan. Buhain said the staging of the national open water swimming tryouts on June 5-7 in the same venue is being closely coordinated with Malay, Aklan Mayor Floribar Bautista to ensure the successful hosting of the event.
Medalists and qualifiers from the national tryouts will compose the Philippine team for the Southeast Asian Open Water Swimming Championships.
Buhain also emphasized that PAI is working to form a highly competitive squad for the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4.
The national team currently seeds the six gold medalists from last year’s Southeast Asian Games, with Olympian Kayla Sanchez leading them. However, Buhain stressed that their spots are not guaranteed should other swimmers surpass their SEA Games performances during the national tryouts slated for June 19-21 at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Center.
“So, it’s better to participate in the tryouts because that’s where you can truly test your performance level,” Buhain said.
He added that the tryouts are open even to Filipino swimmers based abroad
