Article by: Setheleh G. Ramos
Graphics by: Albert Dylan D. David and Crismhil S. Anselmo
Photo by: Blaise Paulhene O. Rellata
Stirring up the waters, the Mapúa University Swimming Team (MUST) clinched multiple titles in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 Swimming Tournament held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on December 10–13, 2024.
Streamlined to take the spotlight, Sean Azryl R. Azores, Isaiah O. Ulanday, Denielle John M. Mandanas, and Sean Elijah V. Enero took gold in the Men's 4x50m Medley Relay to end the first day of the tournament on a high note.
“Natutuwa din ako sa teammates ko dahil tinatanggap nila nang buong-buo yung criticisms sa kanila for self-improvement, not only as a swimmer but also as an individual,” MUST Captain Joseph Benedict “Benjo” S. Villamater commented on the team’s mindsets during their training for the tournament.
Adding to the wave of podium finishes, Julia Mickaelle T. Javiña, Samantha Alexis A. Garcia, Catherine A. Lim, and Kyle G. Estrella clutched bronze in the Women’s 4x50m Medley Relay, while Matthew Cameron L. Dasig, Mandanas, Villamater, and Enero bagged bronze in the Men's 4x50m Freestyle Relay to cap off the Cardinals’ team events title haul.
Captain Villamater expressed his gratitude to the team’s coach and families who supported the team throughout practices and the tournament, “Gusto ko rin pong ipaabot ang aming taos-pusong pasasalamat kay Coach Carding sa kanyang walang sawang suporta, sakripisyo, at gabay sa amin. [...] For the parents of the Mapúa Swimming Team, maraming salamat po sa suporta niyo po sa amin.”
Moreover, Johann Carlos B. Manubay, Enero, Ulanday, Estrella, and Lim took part in the various eight-way individual events finals.
For their message to the Mapúan community, MUST Co-captain Mandanas shared, "Hindi namin mararating ito kung wala kayo. Tuloy-tuloy lang ang laban, Mapúa! Para sa team, para sa pamilya, para kay Coach Carding, at para sa Mapúa, tuloy ang langoy hanggang sa tagumpay!”
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