A 19-man national squad comprised of 10 boys and nine girls will be deployed to Jakarta to see action in the 45th Southeast Asian Age Group Aquatics Championship set from 24 to 26 August.
National junior record holder in 13-under Jamesray Michael Alido of Quezon City banners the stellar cast after passing the qualifying standard criteria set by the Philippine Swimming Inc. during the open tryout at the Teofilo Ildefonso Aquatics Center inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex for the Manila Leg, Vigan City for the Luzon Leg and Dumaguete City for the Visayas and Mindanao Leg.
United States-based tankers Clark Kent Apuada and Ava Samantha Bautista made it after submitting qualifying time duly signed and authenticated by the US league organizing head.
Apuada qualified for boys 15-16 100-meter freestyle while Bautista made it to the the girls 15-16 50-meter butterfly, 100-meter butterfly, and 200emter butterfly events.
“As I see it, it’s the best of the best,” PSI secretary general Eric Buhain said.
“Since we held tryouts, the entire country is well-represented which is a good sign for Philippine swimming. They don’t only represent the Philippine colors but they also give pride and honor to their cities and provinces.”
Winner of two gold medals in 13-under in last year’s edition in Kuala Lumpur, the 14-year-old Alido qualified for the boys 14-15 class 200-meter individual medley as well as in his favorites, 50-meter butterfly and 100-meter butterfly events.
He will be joined by last year’s World Junior Championship campaigners Amina Isabelle Bungubung, Mishka Sy and Jalid Taguinod.
Also in the team are Makati City pride Ivo Nikolai Enot, Joshua Park from Parañaque City, Aishel Evangelista from Caloocan City, Estifano Joshua Ramos and Lance Rafael Cruz from Manila, Patricia Mae Santor and Shairinne Floriano from Antipolo City, Peter Cyrus Dean from Quezon Provinces.
