New Clark City to host UAAP Season 87 Swimming and Athletics Championships

New Clark City 

The University Athletic Association of the Philippines is set to take its Season 87 Swimming and Athletics Championships to the New Clark City Sports Hub, the site of the historic 30th Southeast Asian Games. 

The country's premier varsity league will hold its swimming and athletics competitions at the world-class facility starting this Sunday, November 17.

The swimming championships will be from Sunday to Wednesday while the athletics championships will end on Thursday.

Ateneo de Manila University Athletics Director Emmanuel “Em” Fernandez expressed his excitement about the venue, saying, “This is the best sports venue in the Philippines, and it’s a place that has already proven itself on the international stage. The country had the privilege of hosting the 30th Southeast Asian Games here, and it’s an honor for us to bring these two events to this incredible facility. With its world-class amenities, the NCC Sports Hub is the perfect place for our student-athletes to compete and showcase their skills.”

The Swimming Championships will take place at the state-of-the-art Aquatics Center, where Ateneo will be chasing a historic ninth consecutive men’s title.

The Blue Eagles’ charge will be led by brothers Miguel Barreto and Rafael Barreto, who will look to fend off challenges from the De La Salle University Green Tankers, the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, and the University of Santo Tomas Tigersharks. 

Meanwhile, UP, the host of this year’s Season 87, will aim for its 17th women’s swimming crown, with the Maroons’ star swimmers, including reigning Athlete of the Year Quendy Fernandez and team captain Camille Buico, leading the charge.

In the high school division, the Junior Tigersharks will seek to complete their fourth straight “golden double” in the swimming competitions.

At the nearby Athletics Stadium, both the men’s and women’s events will see intense competition.

The National University Bulldogs, who clinched their first men’s athletics title in Season 86, will be defending their crown with standout athlete Tyronne Flores leading the charge. 

They will face stiff competition from UP, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, and a retooled UST squad.

On the women’s side, De La Salle’s Lady Green Tracksters will look to retain their crown after an impressive 2023 campaign. 

Season 86’s top athlete Bernalyn Bejoy and fellow national team member Jessel Lumapas will be at the helm of the Lady Green Tracksters as they aim to hold off the challenges from the FEU Lady Tamaraws, the UST Female Tracksters, and the NU Lady Bulldogs.

In the high school division, both Adamson University and UST will be gunning for a three-peat in the boys’ and girls’ categories, respectively.

The New Clark City Sports Hub, with its modern infrastructure, will provide the perfect stage for these high-stakes competitions. 

UAAP Executive Director Atty. Rene “Rebo” Saguisag emphasized the significance of the venue and the importance of spotlighting swimming and athletics, saying, “If you watch the Olympics, swimming and athletics are the highlights—these are the true stars of the show. That’s why we believe it’s time for the UAAP to put more focus on these two events. The facilities at the NCC are world-class, and we are hopeful that this will be just the first of many events we’ll be able to host here in the future.”

Xiandi Chua completes PSI Nationals domination

Xiandi Chua

Xiandi Chua went three-for-three in the 2021 Philippine Swimming, Inc. National Selection bubble, securing the final piece with the 100-meter freestyle title on Sunday at the New Clark City Aquatics Center.

The All-Star Swim Club standout was the lone swimmer to finish the race in under a minute, clocking in at 59.68 seconds and fending off two UAAP Season 82 Most Valuable Players.

The twenty-year old San Juan native shares, "My times in this meet weren't really good because my times went up. But I think it's a nice opportunity to race again because I was able to see where I'm actually at and how I can I improve on it in training."

Camille Buico of Rising Atlantis Swim Club nipped Chloe Daos of QC Buccaneers for second by .01 second with a time of 1:00.34.

Daos will not come home empty-handed in this meet, topping the 200-meter butterfly at 2:22.57, fending off Michaela Mojdeh and her 2:25.22.

The Ayala Harpoons completed their dominance in the meet, thanks to Miguel Barreto and Thanya Dela Cruz.

Barreto topped both the 100-meter and 800-meter freestyle events, beating out Joshua Del Rio of the Ateneo Blue Knights, 8:48.39 to 9:15.80 in the latter while nipping Sacho Ilustre in the former, 53.52 to 53.59.

Dela Cruz, on the other hand, secured the 200-meter breaststroke title, clocking in at 2:43.44.

BEST Main also had their share of winning in the meet, led by John Neil Paderes.

The 19-year-old took the 50-meter backstroke title with a time of 27.77 seconds, completing a clean sweep of all three backstroke events.

Meanwhile, teammates Jordan Lobos and Ivan Radovan claimed their respective 200-meter races. Lobos needed 2:21.49 to top the breaststroke, while Radovan ruled the butterfly with 2:13.71.

Completing the cast of winners are Hannah Sanchez, who took the 800-meter freestyle for the All-Star Swim Club at 9:57.36, and Shayne Lugay of the Ace Seawolves, who took the 50-meter backstroke in 32.32 seconds.

The three-day event was supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, and the Clark Development Corporation.

Miguel Barreto tops 200m free in PSI Nationals

Miguel Barreto

National team stalwart Miguel Barreto topped a thrilling 200-meter freestyle race highlighting Day 2 of the 2021 Philippine Swimming, Inc. National Selection bubble at the New Clark City Aquatic Center on Saturday.

With a time of 1:56.74, Barreto beat out teammate Sacho Ilustre for the win. Ilustre finished third with a time of 1:59.29, as Marco Daos sneaked past him at the touch with a 1:59.10.

He shared afterwards, "Yung kahapon, expected ko malapit sa best time. Okay naman yung feeling. Pero nothing to expect naman kasi wala namang training. So ngayon, enjoy lang, have fun."

The Ayala Harpoons Swim Club standout unfortunately missed out on a double in the 400-meter individual medley as a result of a disqualification.

Instead, it was Ted Laminta who claimed his second win in the meet with a time of 4:49.00, beating out Joshua del Rio's 5:01.04.

Fellow Harpoon Thanya Dela Cruz continued to impress, securing a third win in the competition with a near-national record at the 100-meter breaststroke.

The Marikina resident was clocked at 1:11.28, just .36 seconds off Desirae Mangaoang's record time of 1:10.92.

After being the lone competitor in the 200-meter individual medley, Xiandi Chua got tested in the 200-meter freestyle, beating UAAP Season 82 MVP Chloe Daos, 2:09.17 to 2:11.66.

Fellow UAAP Season 82 MVP Camille Buico did win her event, clocking a 28.69 second time to claim the 50-meter butterfly for Rising Atlantis SC.

In the other events, BEST Main's Jordan Lobos topped the 100-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:04.66, beating out Sam Alcos and Rian Marco Tirol, who finished second and third with respective times of 1:05.84 and 1:05.96.

Lobos' teammate Michaela Mojdeh claimed the 400-meter individual medley title fending off Gianna Garcia, 5:23.63 to 5:38.73. The fifteen-year-old had a crack at another race, but fell short against Hannah Sanchez in the women's 1500-meter freestyle, 18:58.71 against the latter's 18:55.97.

Garcia did top the women's 200-meter backstroke with 2:33.96, fending off Keneily Trinidad's 2:45.71.

QC Buccaneers SC's Seb Wong beat out Ilustre in the 50-meter butterfly with a time of 25.67 seconds. Ilustre nipped Marcus De Kam for second, 26.40 to 26.50. 

Completing things off for second day action in the meet, which is backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, and the Clark Development Corporation, is John Niel Paderes and his 2:14.94 time to secure the men's 200-meter backstroke.

Final day of pool action is slated on Sunday.

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.

Swimmers set for PSI National Selection Bubble

New Clark City Aquatics Center

The quest to determine the composition of the national team starts Friday at the New Clark City Aquatics Center with the 2021 Philippine Swimming, Inc. National Selection Bubble.

Sanctioned by FINA (Federation Internationale de Natation), the three-day competition provides opportunities for swimmers to earn points and set times that can meet qualifying standards for a couple of major competitions: the 15th World Swimming (25) Championships set to take place in Abu Dhabi in December and the 19th World Aquatics Champhionships in Fukuoka this coming May 2022.

PSI president Lailani Velasco shares, "We hope that the event can show to the youth that we can rise again and recover from this pandemic. We hope to encourage current swimmers to train even more to reach their dreams. And what better dream than to have a chance to represent the country, and bring pride and honor to the flag."

Notable participants in the 71-member field are UAAP Season 82 Most Valuable Players Chloe Daos and Sacho Ilustre, each participating in four events. Also set to swim are the likes of Xiandi Chua, Camille Buico, and Joy Rodgers for the women and Ianiko Limfilipino and Miguel Barreto in the men.

The three-day event is backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, and the Clark Development Corporation.

United City plants football flag in New Clark City

Left: Arrey A. Perez (BCDA)
Right: Eric M. Gottschalk (UCFC)

United City Football Club has found a new home.

The defending Philippines Football League champions has selected New Clark City in Pampanga as its future base of operations on Monday.

UCFC President and Co-Founder Eric Gottschalk shares, "This is a historic day for all of us within the organization as we are finally able to announce New Clark City as our permanent home. This has been in the works for several months, and we would like to thank Vivencio B. Dizon, President & CEO of BCDA (Base Conversion and Development Authority), and his team for their support in bringing professional football to the Province of Pampanga and New Clark City."

Gottschalk adds, "Our move to Pampanga has a lot to do with the already existing sports mentality within the community, especially the love for football, and since the PBA has no foothold in Clark, UCFC will be the only professional sports franchise in the province."

The club already has plans in place, as Gottschalk notes, "Our community work will start right away with many plans already developed. The UCFC football academy will take shape before the end of 2021, and we continue to finalize the location for our future football stadium."

Serving as the temporary home of UCFC will be the New Clark City Stadium, the 20,000-seat athletics stadium that served as the central hub of the 30th SEA Games in 2019. Plans are set to host its first match at the venue in early August, once the AFC Champions League campaign in Uzbekistan has been completed.

In addition, the club already has identified a prime location to break ground for their future stadium, with only the necessary paperwork needed to be completed before it is made official.

To mark the move and reflect its commitment to its new community, UCFC will also embark on a name change effective after the conclusion of the 2021 PFL season, becoming United Clark Football Club in the process. The change will also be reflected on its crest, as well.

UCFC becomes the latest crown jewel for New Clark City and its ambition to become the Philippines' sports hub. Having hosted the SEA Games, it also is set to host the final qualifying window for the FIBA Asia Cup, and is also set to host a couple more major competitions later this year.