A Filipino-American athletic scholar at the government-run National Academy of Sports (NAS) and three more Filipinos based abroad pulled off stunning performances to overshadow the absence of Olympian Kayla Sanchez on Thursday at the start of the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) 50-meter (long course) National Sports Trials at the Teofilo Yldefonso swimming pool in Malate, Manila.
Riannah Chantelle Coleman, a regular campaigner in the local swimming circuit, broke the 33.98 seconds Southeast Asian Age Group Qualifying Standard Time (QTS) for girls 14-15 50-meter breaststroke with a winning time of 33.96.
A protege of coach Dax Halili of Dax Swim Club beat Krystal Ava David of Golden Sea Eagles (34.69) and Jamaica Enriquez of Pangasinan (35.62) in the event backed by Speedo, Pocari Sweat and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
‘It feels so amazing because I sacrificed so much for this moment. I woke up at 2 a.m. every day to practice before going to school, there’s so much pressure on me but surprisingly I made it, and so very happy with the results,” said the 15-year-old Coleman.
“I was excited when I saw the name of Ate Kayla (Sanchez) in the starting list. I said to myself, wow I’m going to swim off with an Olympian, but unfortunately, her name was scratched at the last minute, Sayang!,” said Coleman.
The 23-year-old Sanchez, a bronze medalist in the relay event for Canada in the 2021 Tokyo Games before representing the Philippines in the just concluded Paris Olympics, was a ‘no show’ in the 50-m breast – one of three events she entered in the Trials.
“Napagod ng husto. Na late kasi yung parade yesterday. Pag-uwi namin sa hotel kagabi masama na ang pakiramdam, kanina paggising medyo may sinat na kaya nag decide kami na scratch na lang yung event today,” said Sanchez’s father Noel.
PAI Secretary General and Batangas 1st District Congressman Eric Buhain said the Trials will be part of the selection process for members of the National training pool, the best bets here to represent the country in international competitions this year until the first two quarters of 2025.
“Huwag ninyong sayagin ang pagkakataon. Kung ano ang mga natutunan ninyo sa training, gawin ninyo ang lahat ng inyong makakaya. Kami po sa PAI ang bahala pag nakasama kayo sa National Team,” said Buhain during the opening ceremony which was attended by PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann and Executive Director Paulo Tatad.
Gian Santos, who is based in Rancho Santa Margarita in California, shared the limelight by topping the boys 16-18 400-meter freestyle in a time of 4:01.26, almost six seconds better than the 4:07.74 QTS for his age group. He beat the promising Davaoeno Paolo Miguel Labanon of Rasa Wave (4:07.79) and Anton Della of La Union (4:17.70).
Another Fil-Am Jaydison Dacuycuy and Fil-Mongolian Enkmend Enkhmend both broke the QTS (30.72) in the boys 14-15 50-m breast clocking 30.39 and 30.60, respectively. Sebastian Marcelo finished third at 30.94.
Other gold medalists in their respective events are Behrouz Mojdeh in the boys 11-13 400-m free (4:40.05), Aishel Evangelista (14-15, 4:18.27), Adrian Eichler (19-over, 4:07.01), Daniel Bumadella (boys 11-13 50-m breast, 33.82), Joaquin Taguinod (16-18, 30.16), Jaeddan Gamilla (19-over, 28.34),
Rielle Antonio (girls 11-13, 50-m breast, 36.98), Arabella Taguinota (16-18, 34.14), Alyza Ng (19-over, 33.20), Makayla Petalvero (girls 11-13 400-m free, 4:53.57), Kyla Bulaga (14-15, 4:45.31), Jie Talosig (16-18, 4:40.93), and Mishka Sy (19-over, 4:41.29).
