Ortiguerra shares spotlight in Philippine Aquatics’ national tryouts

TRIXIE Ortiguerra pulled off the biggest upset yet as she overshadowed the dominant performances by some of most experienced junior internationalists in the Philippine Aquatics-organized National Tryouts NCR leg on Saturday at the Teofilo Yldefonso swimming pool inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.

The 16-year-old Grade 10 student from Sto, Cristo Integrated School in Tarlac City beat Vietnam-based and two-time World Junior campaigner Heather White in what could be the most intense duel in the girls’ 15-17 50m backstroke in the three-day tournament serving as the final selection process for the 44-man Philippine Team set to participate in the 11th Asian Age Groupo swimming championship which the country hosting for December 3-6 at the the New Clark Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac.

Ortiguerra submitted a time of 31.20 seconds ahead of White, who finished second at 32.27.

“Masayang-masaya po ako, first time ko pong nakalaban sa backstroke si Heather (White), kaya nagulat ako kasi ang bilis niya kahit hindi talaga siya back stroker. Pasalamat lang ako at nakuha ko ‘yung panalo and very hopeful ako na mapasama sa Philippine Team after three years,” said Ortiguerra, who was 13 years old when she was included in the national team in 2019 SEA Age Group edition.

White, 16, has earlier won the girls’ 15-17 400m freestyle, clocking 4:35.57.

“I’m not really a back stroker, that’s why I’m very happy with the results,” said White, a national junior record holder in free style.

As expected, veteran internationalist Jamesrey Ajido dominated the boys’ 12-14 class with another victory in the 200m Individual Medley (2:16.01).

On opening day, the 14-year-old multi junior-record holder claimed the 200m freestyle (2:02.68), and 50m back (28.90).

Other noted junior tankers, who claimed ‘provisionary’ status for the National Team are Arabella Taguinota in the girls’ 15-17 100m breastroke (1:13.40), Chantelle Coleman in the girls’ 12-14 100m breast (1:19.82) and 50m breast (35.24), Kyla Louise Bulaga in the girls’ 12-14 200m Im (2:35.10),

Joshua Ramos in the Boys’ 18 & Over 50m back (27.79); Peter Cyrus Dean in the boys’ 15-17 50m (27.74), Kacie Gabrielle Tionko