ZAMBOANGA CITY – Incoming sophomore Marvie Borja of the University of Sto. Tomas snared three golds in record-breaking style as National Capital Region swept the first day of swimming in the National Private Schools Athletic Association Meet here.

The Big City bets threatened to pull away in the overall standings after capturing 16 golds at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex pool.

Defending champion Western Visayas managed to capture 12 silvers, sinking under the weight of the NCR juggernaut, which also produced eight new meet records.

The 17-year-old Borja, the reigning UAAP rookie-of-the-year, ruled the 400m free in 5 minutes, 07.67 seconds, typifying NCR's rule by shaving more than 20 seconds off Western Visayas' Kristine Cabasac's old record. Cabasac finished second, coming in at 5:30.86.

Borja's other victory came in the 200m fly, where she clocked a new record of 2:39.59, before anchoring the 4x50m relay squad to another record-setting feat.

NCR actually set five more meet records, thanks to Lianne Marquez (1:11.51) in the 100m breaststroke, Edson Dinglasan (32.29) in the 50m back, Josephine Pilapil (37.49) in the women's 50m breast, Ferdinand Frigillana (2:20.39) in the 200m fly and the men's 4x50m medley relay squad (1:56.04).

Frigillana of San Beda College also topped in the 400m free in 4:41.16.

Trailing Marquez was Nicole Catolico, who copped the silver by clocking 1:17.89. Another silver winner was Karl Pedroso, who came in second behind Dinglasan in the 50m breaststroke.

Former national age-group standout Chrizel Lagunday lost her crown to Pilapil but still managed to eclipse the old record of 38.76 seconds in a silver medal finish in the 50m breast.

University of St. La Salle’s Michele Petero won a bronze in the 200m fly, behind Borja and Zoe Menguito. Petero also surpassed the 2-year-old PRISAA mark of 2:53.29 by checking in at 2:48.56.

Western Visayas’ other silvers came in the men and women’s 4x50m medley relay.*CPT

back to top

La Salle duo makes nat’l beach volley finals
3 Negros jins deliver golds
Booters enter semis; Lady spikers cruise
NCR tankers sweep Day 1 events