Making waves: Setting the race ablaze at the men’s swimming competition

Despite cold winds and pouring rain, swimmers from all four departments showcased their burning passion and heart-pouring skills to clinch the hungered goal medal in the Velez College Intramurals 2023: men’s swimming competition at the YMCA. Despite unanticipated delays, the game commenced with enthusiastic and fiery cheers from the crowd.

The Nursing Blue Knights displayed a solid start, garnering the gold medal in the first two events: the 40-meter freestyle and 40-meter backstroke. These were represented by the team’s first-year ace, Takumi Shinoda. “I honestly felt very relieved after winning my two gold medals since my teammates and I have been training for a couple of days in preparation for intramurals,” he stated. Behind him were PTOT, MedTech, and CAS for the 40-meter freestyle, and MedTech and PT/OT for the 40-meter backstroke.

The players then geared up for the 40-meter breaststroke. Rising first place was Sitoy of the MedTech Vikings, followed by Nursing and PTOT. In the following event, the 40-meter butterfly, chants escalated as the Vikings won again, with Tubesa representing the team. After him were Nursing and PTOT, showcasing a close fight. “Since this is an individual sport, it all comes down to the swimmers themselves, their willpower and dedication. They gave their everything despite the lack of training, and I could see that hunger to win in their eyes,” said Dozen Colipapa, Vikings team captain.

The battleground intensified as the swimmers then raced in the 80-meter freestyle event. Raphael Lacierda, the Nursing team captain, seized the gold medal after outracing the other swimmers. Following him were MedTech and PTOT.

After minutes of break, spirits soared in the crowd as the swimmers prepared for the awaited 80-meter individual medley. After an intense battle, the undefeated Sitoy of MedTech emerged victorious once again, followed by Nursing and PTOT.

Throughout the six events in the men’s singles category, the Knights breached triumphant, having bagged three gold and three silver medals. “Despite not practicing so much, the fact that they [the team] feel happy and sad when they win or lose shows their passion and love for the sport. And despite not winning overall champion, I think we won in some events with that passion and love, and we will use that as fuel to win next year,” said Lacierda of the Knights.

Moreover, the Vikings bagged three gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. Their ace player was John Sitoy, who contributed two gold medals. The PTOT Spartans did not fail to entertain the crowd, impressively garnering two silver and four bronze medals. Allec Vizcarra, the team’s ace, garnered one silver and two bronze medals. And amidst all odds, Nathan Phua — the lone representative of the CAS Titans — exhibited a valiant effort during the 40-meter freestyle event.

The swimmers also competed in the mixed category, wherein each individual in a team of four — composed of both men and women — swam any of the swimming strokes (backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, and freestyle). The Spartans dominated the competition to win the 160-meter medley race. They were followed by the Vikings, Knights, and Titans.

All players knuckled down their strength to represent their department. They showed great sportsmanship towards each other and stood tall and proud of their feat. To them, the experience and values gained are what matter the most. The excitement from seeing the fruits of their labor and their passion for swimming made their competition a more memorable experience.

Maayong pagsaulong, Velezians! Magsaulog kita sa sunod!