DAGUPAN CITY—There are three major reasons behind National Capital Region’s juggernaut in the swimming competitions of the Palarong Pambansa here.
The main factor is Axel Toni Ngui, who is considered the poster boy of NCR swim team by virtue of his impressive showing. One of the oldest high school entries at 18, Ngui has so far collected five golds with victories in the 100-meter freestyle, 400m free, 100m backstroke, 400m free relay and 100m butterfly.
He still has three events in his schedule and bared his intentions to sweep all of them.
“I’m lucky because some of the best swimmers are not here,” said the 6-foot Ngui. “But I’m going for a perfect record this year.”
An incoming freshman at Ateneo, Ngui took two gold medals last year but said he’s in good shape to outdo himself. Most of his Palaro contemporaries have either graduated or are now training for the Youth Olympics.
Ngui, who cross-trains in basketball but loves to play golf with his father Andrew, credited his tough training at Xavier School.
Providing him solid support are girls’ high school bet Delia Cordero and girls’ elementary star Raissa Gavino who, like Ngui, have also won five gold medals each.
After Day 2 at the Dagupan Poolsite, NCR has picked up 21 of the first 36 golds disputed.