Thanya dela Cruz sets record in PSI Nationals

Thanya Dela Cruz stars in Day 1 action

Thanya Dela Cruz makes an early impression in the early part of Day 1 action in the 2021 Philippine Swimming, Inc.'s National Selection bubble at the New Clark City Aquatic Center.

The 18-year-old Marikina resident set a new mark in the 50-meter breaststroke with a time of 32.89 seconds, beating then-record holder Joy Rodgers' 32.93 that she established during the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the same venue.

She shared afterwards, "Sobrang saya kasi sobrang tagal nating hindi nakapag-swim. I mean, so coming here wala namang expectations, just to get back the feeling lang. I didn't expect na mag-rerecord."

Rodgers finished second behind Dela Cruz with 33.94 seconds.

Dela Cruz also topped the field in the 50-meter freestyle event, as the Ayala Harpoons Swim Club standout claimed it with a time of 27.92 seconds, with Trixie Ortiguera of Tarlac Mako Sharks SC finishing in second with 29.31 seconds.

Harpoons teammates also topped a couple more events, with Miguel Barreto winning the 400-meter freestyle with a time of 4:39.21 and Ryan Marco Tirol taking the 50-meter breaststroke at 30.05 seconds.

UAAP Season 82 Most Valuable Players Sacho Ilustre, Chloe Daos and Camille Buico set the pace in their respective events, with Ilustre clocking the fastest time in the 100-meter butterfly at 57.13 seconds, nipping Joshua Ang of the Golden Sea Eagles and his 57.44 seconds.

Daos, on the other hand, won the 400-meter freestyle with a time of 4:39.21 for the QC Buccaneers, while Buico snatched the 100-meter butterfly by clocking in at 1:03.94.

Chloe's teammate in QC, Seb Wong, more recognized as the brother of SEA Games wushu gold medalist Agatha, swam the fastest in the 50-meter freestyle. The 22-year-old touched at 24.00 seconds for the win.

Other winners on Friday include:

John Niel Paderes (100-meter backstroke at 1:01.22)

Shayne Lugay (100-meter backstroke at 1:10.38)

Ted Laminta (200-meter individual medley at 2:13.89) representing D'Ace Seahawks.

Joshua Del Rio (1500-meter freestyle at 16:40.12) representing Ateneo Blue Knight Swim Club

Michaela Mojdeh (1500-meter freestyle at 18:58.71)

Meanwhile, Xiandi Chua set a time a 2:25.32 in the women's 200-meter individual medley, the only participant in that particular event.

More swimming action is set to take place on Saturday in the meet, which is backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, and the Clark Development Corporation.