THE Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) will send teams in four disciplines to the 46th Southeast Asian Age Group Championship set for Dec. 6-10 at the Bangkok National Swimming Center in Thailand.
The Philippine delegation headed by PAI Vice President Jessie Arriola left yesterday.
Asian Age Group Championships gold medalist Jamesray Mishael Ajido and Riannah Chantelle Coleman lead the 12-man swimming team eyeing to duplicate, if not surpass, the country’s two gold medal performances in last year’s edition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Joining them are the cream of the crop in the Philippine junior class – Ryian Zach Danzel Belen, Reinielle Jan Mikos Trinidad, Peter Cyrus Dean, Jaydison Edrei Dacuycuy, and Ivo Nikolai Enot for the boys’ squad while the girls side comprises of World Junior campaigner Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh, Shania Joy Baraquiel, Sophia Rose Garra, Maxene Hayley, and Liv Abigail Florendo.
PAI is also sending two junior water polo teams, a three-member diving team, and artistic swimming teams, fulfilling its mission to boost and strengthen 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 Rep. Eric Buhain.
The water polo boys team 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, while the girls team comprised of 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 are participating in the diving event, while the artistic swimming team is composed of Antonia Lucia Raffaele, Zoe Lim, and Georgia Francesca Carmina Tan, who recently won three medals, including gold, in the Singapore Open.
A separate delegation composed of Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Chloe Isleta and Xiandi Chua, Philip Adrian Eichler, and Metin Junior Jason Mahmutoglu will participate in the World Aquatics Swimming Championships set Dec. 10-15 in Budapest, Hungary.
