After three days of splashing and dashing, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Torpedoes failed to claim the championship from the San Beda College Red Sea Lions, who gripped on their 14th consecutive championship in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Season 91 Swimming meet last September 18-20 at the Rizal Memorial Swimming Pool.

Despite scoring second place, the CSB Torpedoes still went home with a bag of awards and a set of new records. Lady Torpedo Maria Aresa Lipat secured a back-to-back MVP title and set three new NCAA records in the 100-meter freestyle, 50-meter butterfly, and the 200-meter freestyle relay along with Wina Tecson, Grace Cervantes, and Andrea Pacheco. “Lagi kong ginagawang preparation every training session is pinapakita ko yung double effort and lagi akong nakikinig sa advice ng mga coaches and last is self-discipline.” shares Lipat. Blazer Maurice Govanne Dabi also set a new NCAA record in the 100-meter breaststroke and Christine Joy Mendoza in the 200-meter butterfly. Jaymee Ortega, Tecson, Mendoza, and Cervantes also established a new record in the 400-meter freestyle relay.

The men’s team also stacked awards on the meet. Blazer Mark Rominquit secured a silver medal for the College at the 100-meter freestyle. Rominquit along with Darwin Tumaneng, Jose Antonio Chingcuangco, and Jovic Ventinilla also ranked third in the 400-meter medley relay. Torpedo Emmanuel Lorbes also finished third in the 200-meter butterfly. “Though we’re second place, we were able to give our best shot.” shared men’s team captain, Joseph Ventinilla, “it’s just sad because we were not able to conquer our goal of becoming champion and we only lost to small points.”

But it wasn’t just the swimmers who shined in the NCAA event. DLS-CSB Swimming Coach, Evan Grabador, was named “Coach of the Year” at the Juniors Category.

by Aya Garcia & Aien Mayores