Miguel Barreto rules 200m freestyle in swimming nationals

Swimmer Miguel Barreto. PSI PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Miguel Barreto came out on top of his field in the men’s 200-meter freestyle to highlight the second day of the 2021 Philippine Swimming, Inc. National Selection Saturday at New Clark City Aquatic Center in Capas, Tarlac.

The 18-year-old clocked in at 1:56.74 beating Marcos Daos, who finished with a time of 1:59.10 and 2019 Southeast Asian Games teammate Sacho Ilustre who came in at 1:59.29.

Barreto, a member of the Ayala Harpoons Swim Club, could’ve made it a double for the second day of the tryouts but was disqualified in the men’s 400m individual medley.

Ted Laminta of the Ace Seawolves took the win in the 400m individual medley at 4:49.00 with Joshua Del Rio coming in at second at 5:01.04.

“I expected that I would be near the best time, and I feel fine about it,” said Barreto in Filipino. “Still, I don’t expect much because I haven’t trained for a long time so now I’m just trying to enjoy this opportunity and have fun.”

Xiandi Chua, the lone swimmer in the women’s 200m individual medley on Friday, got to compete for the first time in the national trials as she came in first in the women’s 200m freestyle at 2:09.17 while Chloe Daos finished second at 2:11.66.

Thanya Dela Cruz and Camille Buico earned their second wins in two days as they topped the women’s 100m breaststroke and 50m butterfly, respectively.

Ayala’s Dela Cruz clocked in at 1:11.28, just 0.36 seconds shy of breaking Desirae Mangaoang’s national record of 1:10.92 while Buico, who’s under Rising Atlantis SC, breezed through her field with a time of 28.69 seconds.

Jordan Lobos took the win in the men’s 100m breaststroke clocking in at 1:04.66 ahead of Sam Alcos (1:05.84) and Rian Marco Tirol (1:05.96).

Seb Wong of the QC Buccaneers SC won in the men’s 50m butterfly with a time of 25.67 seconds while Ilustre came in at second at 26.40 seconds and Marcus De Kam taking third spot with a time of 26.50 seconds.

John Niel Paderes finished first in the men’s 200m backstroke with a time of 2:14.94 with Gianna Garcia taking the win in women’s side with 2:33.96.

BEST Main’s 15-year-old prodigy Michaela Mojdeh got the win in the 400m individual medley with a time of 5:23.63.