Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
MANILA – Pasig City’s Ricielle Maleeka Melencio bagged 14 medals, including nine golds, in the Congress of Philippine Aquatics (COPA) ‘One For All-All For One’ National Capital Region Swimming Championships at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Center inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila on Sunday.
Melencio was named Most Outstanding Swimmer (MOS) award in the girls’ 18-over category after claiming victory in the 50m, 100m, 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle; 100m and 200m backstroke; and 200m and 400m Individual Medley.
She also scooped five silver medals coming from the 50m butterfly and four relay events – 4x100m freestyle (with Mia Barretto, Mara Santiago and Jana Avergonzado); 4x100m medley (with Lindsay Mamucod, Barretto and Avergonzado); 4x50m freestyle (with Jaen Sabularse, Avergonzado and Santiago); and 4×50 medley (with Barretto, Mamucod and Santiago).
“I wish my times could’ve been better than my personal best times, but I am happy and thankful for the results and in helping our Pasig City Swim Team,” said Melencio, who was born in Los Angeles, California and moved to the Philippines before her fifth birthday.
“I’d like to thank Mayor Vico Sotto for always supporting our Pasig City swim team. And to coach Jessie Lacuna, coach Elson, coach Macky, coach Bea, our coaches in Pasig. Thanks also to coach Archie Lim and coach Candice, my coaches in Ateneo, and of course, AMDG (Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam), thank you God for everything,” added Melencio, a freshman at the Ateneo de Manila University taking up Management Information Systems, who won the silver medal (400m IM) in the UAAP Season 86 last year.
Meanwhile, Aishel Cid Evangelista swept his last three events while Patricia Mae Santor got one more gold medal to also receive the MOS honors in the three-day event sanctioned by the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
The 14-year-old Evangelista, representing Betta Caloocan Swim Team, dominated the 200m butterfly, 100m backstroke, and 50m freestyle events in the boys’ 14-under class to finish with eight gold medals.
The Grade 8 student from University of Santo Tomas dedicated his medals to his father, Elcid Evangelista, a swimming coach who passed away two weeks ago.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa Diyos at binigyan ako ng kalakasan ng katawan para matupad ko yung misyon ko na mabigyan ng regalo ang aking namayapang ama. Para po sa kanya ito, alam ko masaya siya sa tagumpay ko (I thank God for giving me the strength to fulfill my mission to give a gift to my late father. This is for him, I know he is happy with my success),” said Evangelista, who topped the 100m and freestyle; 100m butterfly, 200m backstroke and 400m IM, and the silver medal in the 50m backstroke.
PAI secretary general Batangas 1st District Rep. Eric Buhain expressed his admiration to the young Evangelista.
“We’re proud of him. He’s really focused in the competition. That’s the kind of mindset we need in the Philippine Team,” said Buhain, a former PSC chairman.
Santor, who saw action in the Asian Age Group Championships last February, ruled the girls’ 200m butterfly in the 16-under category. She also won the 400m IM, 200m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 400m medley relay, and finished second in the 100m breaststroke. — Jean Malanum (PNA)
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Credit belongs to: www.pna.gov.ph
