BEST-Philippines tankers post strong start in Thailand tilt
Credit to Author: Emil C. Noguera, TMT| Date: Sat, 23 Nov 2019 17:04:20 +0000
BANGKOK: Behrouz Elite Swimming Team-Philippines (BEST-Philippines) started its campaign on a bright note by winning seven gold medals in the 2019 HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Cup-21st Invitational Swim Meet on Saturday here at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club.
Quezon Killer Whales standout Peter Cyrus Dean made his presence felt as he claimed the country’s first gold medal in the two-day meet that drew more than 800 tankers from 30 foreign teams.
Dean submitted 1 minute and 3.87 seconds to clinch the top honors in the boys’ 11-12 100m freestyle event, beating Chan Yi Yuan of China (1:04.18) and Yao Lize of Singapore (1:04.84), who settled for silver and bronze, respectively.
“It’s a good start for us. It’s just the morning session of the competition and we’re hoping to win more medals in the afternoon session and in the second day of the tournament,” said BEST-Philippines head coach Virgie de Luna.
Sharing the spotlight were Christ Jade Andal, Amina Isabelle Mondonedo, Lance Arcel Lotino and Ivan Nicholas Radovan, who delivered a silver medal each in their respective age-groups.
Andal finished second in the boys’ 15-over 100m freestyle with a time of 58.87 — just a few inches behind gold medalist Enzo Izak Ben Malayang of Malaysia (57.46) while Mondonedo earned the silver in the girls’ 11-12 50m breaststroke after checking in at 40.59 seconds.
For their parts, Lotino bagged the silver in the boys’ 15-over 100m butterfly (1:04.82) and Radovan secured another silver for the Philippines in the boys’ 13-14 100m butterfly (1:03.32).
“Teams from China and Singapore are here plus strong teams from host Thailand. But seeing these powerhouse teams makes our young swimmers extra motivated to win medals for our country. They are ready to battle neck-and-neck for medals,” added delegation head Marilet Basa who was accompanied by assistant coaches Elaine Babiera, Romulo Sanchez and Rossbenar Antay.
Shaina Marie Andal contributed one bronze medal in the girls’ 13-14 50m breaststroke (38.74) while Ashby Jayce Canlas also copped a bronze in the boys’ 11-12 50m breaststroke with his 38.23-second showing.
“It’s a good exposure for our young swimmers especially those first-timers. It’s one way of honing their skills and characters through international exposures. Jasmine Mojdeh’s first international competition was here in Thailand and look at her now,” De Luna said.