PH tankers leave for Dubai meet

Team Philippines Killerwhale swimmers and coaches pose for a photo after their regular workout for the Dubai meet slated on Oct. 22 to 23, 2022. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

TEN members of Team Philippines Killerwhale will be leaving today, October 18, to compete in the 2022 Hamilton Aquatics Short Course Swimming Championships slated on October 22 to 23 at the Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Sports Complex in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Heading the team is Immaculate Heart of Mary College-Parañaque standout Julia Ysabelle Basa — a veteran of international competitions.

Seeing action in the girls' 15-year class, Basa hopes to duplicate her impressive showing in the 10th Circle of Swimmers of Melun Val de Seine held at the Piscine de Melun swimming pool in Melun, France.

“It's a good opportunity for our grassroots swimmers to be exposed in such a high caliber competition like this. We are just following the program set by the late Coach Susan Papa,” said team manager Joan Mojdeh.

Another international campaigner Master Charles Janda of Centro Escolar Integrated School Malolos is also looking to deliver for Team Philippines in the two-day meet.

Janda has been a consistent medal producer in international tournaments, winning gold medals in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand, among others.

Joining Basa and Janda in the team are Andrae Kenzie Samontanes, Hannah Mikaela Lim and Louis Andrei Lim of St. Joseph College of Novaliches, and Kathryn Leigh Kier of Baguio City SPED Center.

Also lined up are Lyyld Wynn Robles of Casa Del Bambino Emmanuel Montessori, Davidmorvyn Gillego of Holy Trinity School of Padre Garcia, Patricia Celine De Chavez of Anselmo A. Sandoval Memorial National High School and Reneilly Trinidad of Calayan Educational Foundation.

“This program has been one of the key factors in building confidence for our swimmers that will further prepare them in a high level meet. We are looking forward to seeing them win medals in Dubai,” added Mojdeh.

Maria Leticia Basa serves as delegation head while Bryan Estipona has been appointed by Killerwhale's Virgilio de Luna as team's head coach in Dubai, along with assistant coach Christine Keith de Luna.

“Our swimmers are ready to compete and we are hoping for better results as we aim to give honor to our country. We would like to extend our gratitude to Hamilton Aquatics Dubai for inviting us,” Basa said.