Jacinto, Pastolero banner top finishers in PSL tilt

Philippine Swimming League (PSL) president Alex Papa poses for a photo with the gold medalists in the 165th Philippine Swimming League (PSL) National Series for Class C and Novice. PROMISING tankers Alvine Jacinto and Chelsea Pastolero won two gold medals each to lead the gold medalists on Sunday in the 165th Philippine Swimming League (PSL) National Series for Class C and Novice at the Diliman Preparatory School swimming pool in Quezon City.

Jacinto stamped her class in the girls’ 7- year, topping the 50- meter freestyle with a time of 1:00.53 and the 25m backstroke event by virtue of her 31.16-second showing.

Pastolero dominated the girls’ 10- year 100m Individual Medley in the tournament supported by The Manila Times.

Ervin Villareal (boys’ 9-year 50m freestyle, 45.63), Marcus Red Dula ( boys’ 7- year Dula (girls’ 11-year 50m breaststroke, 48.96), Laiza Llanillo (girls’ 50m breaststroke, 59.00), Raphaela Jimenez (girls’ 9-year 50m breaststroke, 56.97) and Aerich Telebangco (girls’ 5-6 50m freestyle, 1:26.25), also ruled their respective events.

The other gold medalists were Sophia Rose Garra, Osmond Peng, Jan Rey Aquino, Jhuno Perez, Ferris Espano, Conan Perez, Jeric Cortez, Ania Novero, Naomi Quilala, Princess Baruiz, Ashley Andal, Jamie Cudilla, Natanya Aguilar, Julia Ballena, Sophia De Sola, Alyssa Panahon, Rianne Aquino, Annalise Jandayan, Akiane Jacinto, Niobe Perez, Mark Buenaventura, Chester Cleridad, Duke Santos and Paulina Menor.

“All our good swimmers right now started as novice swimmers. It’s the future. We want to expand this kind of competition to discover young and talented swimmers for future international tournaments,” said PSL president Alexandre Papa.

“It’s (novice/motivational) a program started by my (late) sister coach Susan Papa back in 2010. We’ll just continue her program and we’re pretty sure that she’s happy watching us from up above,” added Papa.