Ateneo stakes its men’s and women’s crowns as the UAAP Season 81 swimming championships unwraps Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Swimming Pool.
The Blue Eagles ruled the men’s division for the fourth straight time while the women’s tankers reclaimed the throne last year.
Two-time Olympian and three-time MVP winner Jessie Khing Lacuna hopes to end his collegiate career as a winner for Ateneo, which is eyeing a sixth title overall.
Lacuna went on a seven-gold medal romp that underscored the Eagles’ domination in the pool last season.
Season 79 MVP Aldo Batungbacal and last year’s top rookie Miguel Barlisan will also be the vital cogs for Ateneo, which is facing a tough opposition from De La Salle and University of the Philippines.
The Lady Eagles, seeking a fifth crown, hope to continue their reign behind last year’s Rookie-MVP Chloe Daos.
A silver medalist 41st Southeast Asian Age Group Swimming Championships last November in Brunei, Daos, became Ateneo’s new swimming phenom after winning six golds and a silver.
UP and University of Santo Tomas will be Ateneo’s biggest rivals in the distaff side.
UST and De La Salle-Zobel, meanwhile, will defend their boys and girls crowns.
The heats will be at 8 a.m. while the finals will be at 3 p.m.
