A 19-man Philippine team – two of them Fil-Americans – will take part in the 45th Southeast Asian Age Group Aquatics Championship slated Aug. 24-26 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Fil-Americans Clark Kent Apuada and Ava Samantha Bautista and national junior record holder Jamesray Michael Ajido of Quezon City will spearhead the country’s bid, the Philippine Swimming, Inc. announced Wednesday.
PSI President Miko Vargas and Secretary-General and Batangas Rep. Eric Buhain said all members of the team – 10 boys and 9 girls – have successfully passed the qualifying criteria during open tryouts held at the Teofilo Ildefonso swimming pool in Malate for the Manila leg, Vigan, Ilocos Sur for Luzon and Dumaguete City for the Visayas and Mindanao.
Apuada will see action in the boys 15-16 100m free, Bautista in the girls 15-16 50m fly, 100m fly and 200m fly and Ajido in boys 14-15 class 200m IM, 50m butterfly and 100m fly.
The 14-year-old Ajido won two gold medals in the 13-under division in last year’s edition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“The best of the best as I see it. And since talagang nagpa-tryouts tayo all over the country, the team is well represented ng mga regions,” said Buhain.
Also in the team are Amina Isabelle Bungubung, Mishka Sy, Jalid Taguinod, Ivo Nikolai Enot, Joshua Park, Aishel Evangelista, Estifano Joshua Ramos, Lance Rafael Cruz, Patricia Mae Santor, Shairinne Floriano, Peter Cyrus Dean, Jie Angela Mikaela Talosig, Catherine Cruz, Arabella Taguinota, Bea Mabalay and Jennuel Boo De Leon.
Joining them are coaches Ramil Ilustr, Cyrus Alcantara, Manuel De Leon Mark Pido, and Wilfredo Cruz.
