Gebbie, Rule triumph in Philippine National Open Swimming Championship, boost SEA Games bid

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

CLARK, Pampanga—Filipino-American tankers Luke Gebbie and Remedy Rule strengthened their bids for an inclusion in the Philippine national team for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Gebbie and Rule won the men and women’s 50-meter events in the Philippine National Open Swimming Championship Saturday at New Clark City Aquatic Center.

The tiff served as the Philippine Swimming Incorporated’s gauge to see who will represent the country in the regional games that will take place in New Clark City.

Gebbie finished with a time of 22.9 seconds, nearly two seconds faster than silver medalist Miguel Barlisan who clocked in at 24.08 seconds while Manuel Perez and Leon Silvestre tied for the third medal at 24.19 seconds.

Rule clocked in at 26.34 seconds and had a narrow advantage over second placer Chloe Isleta who finished with a time of 26.99 seconds while bronze medal winner Jazlynn Pak was at 27.07 seconds.

Thomas Peregrina produced the day’s highlight when he edged Jessie Lacuna to take the gold medal in the men’s 200-meter medley.

Peregrina clocked in at 2:08.14 with Lacuña just .07 tenth of a second slower finishing the course at 2:08.21 while third placer Maurice Ilustre was at 2:11.30.

Xiandi Chua ruled the women’s 200-meter medley at 2:21.18 for the gold medal while Nicole Pamintuan took the silver with a time of 2:26.72 and bronze medalist Zoe Mari Hilario was t 2:29.57.

Chloe Iseta also had one slim advantage to take the gold medal in the female 200-meter backstroke clocking in at 2:18.38, mere milliseconds faster than silver medalist Roxanne Yu who had a time of 2:18.62 while bronze medalist Georgia Peregrina finished the course at 2:22.46.