The Philippine Aquatics, Inc. stages the National Trials for the 50 meters (long course) and 25 meters (short course) on Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Teofilo Ildefonso pool inside RMSC in Malate, Manila.
Expected to join in the trials are Paris Olympians Kayla Sanchez and Jarod Hatch, Heather White, Chloe Isleta, Teia Salvino, Xiandi Chua, Jasmine Mojdeh, Hugh Parto, Patricia Santor, Gerald Jacinto and Jamesray Ajido.
“Let’s keep the Olympics fever going, every swimmer who competes today is surely dreaming not just inclusion in the national team but the chance to be the next Olympics champion,” said PAI sec gen and Batangas 1st District Rep. Eric Buhain.
“Carlos Yulo proved that you could start little but finish big in sports. So, we’re surely using Caloy as an inspiration to our event and our young participants,” he added.
The National Trials sponsored by Speedo and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is billed the toughest in memory as PAI aims for the revival of swimming as “the Philippine pool of champions” with the likes of Olympians Yldefonso, Buhain and Akiko Thomson.
“The Olympic gold is way, way out there, but it’s not mission impossible. We will do it step by step, Southeast Asian, Asian Games, World Championships, it’s a long course, yes, but we will reach that goal,” added Buhain.
In October, the World Series kicks off in Shanghai, China (Oct. 18-20), Incheon, South Korea (Oct. 24-26), Singapore (Oct. 31-Nov. 2), while it culminated with the championships on Dec. 10 to 12 in Budapest, Hungary then the 46th SEA Age Group unfolds on Dec. 6 to 8 in Bangkok, Thailand.
