AT A GLANCE
Trixie Ortiguerra pulled off the biggest upset yet so far to overshadow the dominating performances by some of most experienced junior internationalists as action continued in the Philippine Aquatics-organized National Tryouts NCR leg on Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Teofilo Yldefonso swimming pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Malate, Manila.
Trixie Ortiguerra pulled off the biggest upset yet so far to overshadow the dominating performances by some of most experienced junior internationalists as action continued in the Philippine Aquatics-organized National Tryouts NCR leg on Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Teofilo Yldefonso swimming pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Malate, Manila.
The 16-year-old Grade 10 student from Sto. Cristo Integrated School in Tarlac City beat Vietnam-based and two-time World Junior campaigner Heather White in what could be the most intense duel in the girls 15-17 50-meter backstroke in the three-day tournament serving as the final selection process for the 44-man Philippine Team set to participate in the 11th Asian Age Group Swimming Championship slated on Dec. 3 to 6 at the New Clark Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.
Ortiguerra clocked 31.20 seconds ahead of White, who finished second with 32.27sec.
“Masayang-masaya po ako, first time ko pong nakalaban sa backstroke si Heather (White), kaya nagulat ako kasi ang bilis niya kahit hindi talaga siya backstroker. Pasalamat lang ako at nakuha ko yung panalo and very hopeful ako na mapasama sa Philippine Team after three years,” said Ortiguerra, who was 13-years old when she was included in the National team in the 2019 SEA Age Group edition.
White, a national junior record holder in freestyle, earlier won the girls 15-17 400m freestyle with a time of 4:35.57.
As expected, veteran Jamesrey Ajido dominated the boys 12-14 class with another victory in the 200m Individual Medley (2:16.01). On the opening day, the 14-year-old multi junior-record holder claimed the 200m freestyle (2:02.68) and the 50m back (28.90).
Other notable junior tankers who claimed ‘provisionary’ status for the National Team are Arabella Taguinota in the girls 15-17 100m breaststroke (1:13.40), Chantelle Coleman in the girls 12-14 100m breast (1:19.82) and 50m breast (35.24), Kyla Louise Bulaga in the girls 12-14 200m Im (2:35.10), Joshua Ramos in the Boys 18 & Over 50m back (27.79); Peter Cyrus Dean in the boys 15-17 50m (27.74), Kacie Gabrielle Tionko in the girls 15-17 800m freestyle (10:03.51); Philip Santos in the boys 18-pover 400m Im (4:52.68); Mishka Sy in the girls 18-over 400 IM (5:18.59); Patricia Santor in the girls 400m IM (5:19.23); Aishel Evangelista boys 12-14 400m Im (4:26.06), Thanya Dela Cruz girls 18-over 50m breast (31.83) and Ashton Clyde Jose in the boys 12-14 50m breast (32.57).
Tournament Director Chito Rivera said top two swimmers in their respective age group class or those who earned points nearest to World Aquatics 700 points will be considered in the Philippine team.
