The Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) will send teams to the 46th Southeast Asian Age Group Championship set Dec. 6-10 at the Bangkok National Swimming Center in Bangkok, Thailand.
The Philippine delegation headed by PAI Vice President Jessie Arriola left Manila on Wednesday.
Asian Age Group Championships gold medalist Jamesray Mishael Ajido and Riannah Chantelle Coleman lead the 12-man swimming team, which is eyeing to surpass, if not duplicate its two-gold showing last year in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The boys’ squad is made of Ryian Zach Danzel Belen, Reinielle Jan Mikos Trinidad, Peter Cyrus Dean, Jaydison Edrei Dacuycuy, and Ivo Nikolai Enot while members of the the girls’ side are World Junior campaigner Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh, Shania Joy Baraquiel, Sophia Rose Garra, Maxene Hayley, and Liv Abigail Florendo.
For the first time in the Philippine swimming history, the association is two junior water polo teams, a three-member diving team, and artistic swimming teams, fulfilling its mission to boost the grassroots development of all disciplines of aquatics.
“Do your best, the very best. And that will be our line to this team and other teams in future competitions, local and international,” said PAI Secretary General Batangas 1st District Congressman Eric Buhain.
The water polo boys’ team is consist of multi-titled junior standout Aishel Cid Evangelista, Elijah Caleb De Leon, Lance Edrick Adalin, Matthew Cameron Dasig, Julian Christi Malubag, Miel Joaquin Ugahan, Kenzzie Trey Dumanglas, Niklas Joaquin De Guzman, Andrei Karl Alagban, Joaquin Federico Mirasol, Alexandre Gabriel Establicida, Dave Russel Geda, and Sean Gabriel Enero.
Making up the girls’ team are Sofia Isabel de Guzman, Ashly Ann Addison, Alexandra Raesher Dela Paz, Josie Ann Addison, Mitzie llegunas, Julia Ysabelle Basa, Aygana Ladip, Elizha Joyze Ferrer, Grazielle faith burgos, Shinloah Yve San Diego, Judith Margarette Morrison, Cyril Ann Espongia, and Samantha Janine Balagot.
Ma. Gabriella De Jesus, Chloe Collado, and Jana Mary Rodriguez will be participating in the diving event, while the artistic swimming team is comprised of Antonia Lucia Raffaele, Zoe Lim, and Georgia Francesca Carmina Tan, who recently won three medals including gold in the Singapore Open.
Likewise, a separate delegation composed of elite swimmers in Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Chloe Isleta and Xiandi Chua, Philip Adrian Eichler, and Metin Junior Jason Mahmutoglu will participate in the World Aquarics Swimming Championships slated Dec, 10-15 in Budapest, Hungary.
