Ricielle Maleeka Melencio dominated two more events win the Most Outstanding Swimmer (MOS) award in the premier class at the closed of the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. ‘Go Full Speedo’ Swim Series Leg 2 Championships on Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool in Malate, Manila.
The 20-year-old star of Ayala Harpoons Swim Club topped the girls 19-over 200-meter backstroke and 1,500-m freestyle, clocking 2:35.62 and 19:18.62, respectively to become the winningest swimmer in the two-day event with five golds.
Melencio beat Dianna Celyn Cruz of Ilustre East Aquatic (2:41.25) and Iammejen Lopez of D’Ace Seahwaks in the 200m back, before dominating the field in the 1500m free in the event organized by PAI and backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and Speedo.
Melencio earlier claimed golds in the girls’ 50-m butterfly, 200-m freestyle, and 400-m freestyle, clocking 31.58 seconds, 2:19.26, and 4:55.28, respectively.
But due to exhaustion, she finished only third in the 100m back in the event won by Dianna Celyn Cruz of Ilustre East Aquatic (1:13.33).
“I feel better than the last series regarding training leading to this competition. I’ more prepared now, my goal is to improve my performance and I’m doing better now and mentally ready,” said the Ateneo freshman taking up Management Information System referring to her two golds, 1 silver and two bronze performances in Series 1 last month.
SEA Age Group campaigners Aishel Evangelista, Nicola Queen Diamante, Makoto Nakamura, and Sophia Rose Garra shared the limelight. They claimed MOS awards in their respective age classes in the event used as part of the PAI swimmer’s ranking system.
Evangelista, who also topped the boys 14 years class in Series 1 last month with six gold medals, reigned in the 200m back (2:20.94), 100m breaststroke (1:12.91), 200m free (2:02.40) and silver medal in the 100m back (1:06.58) behind winner Kean Paragatos of Rapid Dolphins (1:06.19).
Likewise, Diamante, a Grade 9 student at the Augustinian Abbey in Las Pinas claimed the girls 14 years MOS with victories in the 200m back (2:49.88), 100m back (1:17.94) and 50m butterfly (31.70); Nakamura dominated the girls 11yrs with triumph in 100m breast (1:28.46), 400m free (5:07.25), 200m freestyle (2:28.75).
Garra, meantime, topped the 12yrs 400m free (4:51.25), 100m back (1:08.97), 200m back (2:29.74), 100m breast (1:21.75), 200m free (2:18.16).
Other gold medal winners are Rielle Antonio in the girls 13yrs 200m free ( 2:22.66); Eliana Rodriguez (14yrs, 2:25.55), Kristine Uy (15yrs, 2:22.04), Alyssa Cabatian (16yrs, 2:22.04), Milkyla Guzman (17yrs, 2:26.25), Rio Balbuena (18yrs, 2:22.89);
Clinton Hu in the boys 6-under 200m free (5:04.40), Fritz Ian Jundam (7yrs, 3:49.77), James Fadriquela (8yrs, 3:27.54), Antonio Dela Cruz (9yrs, 3:25.27), Gideon Ancheta (10yrs, 2:36.89), Aamirah Medinilla (girls 6 under 200m free, 5:43.63), Elle Francia (7yrs, 4:19.65) and Ayesha Valera (8yrs, 4:06.86).
