SEAGAMES-BOUND. Aldo Batungbacal (second row) emerges as one of the first gold medal winners of the first National Open Swimming Championships held at the newly-finished New Clark City Aquatic Center in Capas, Tarlac on Saturday (Aug. 31, 2019). Batungbacal is one of the 27 swimmers picked to represent the country in the 30th Southeast Asian Games later this year.(PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.)
MANILA -- A total of 27 swimmers will make up the Philippine team that will compete in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games later this year.
This was announced by Philippine Swimming Inc. president Lani Velasco late Monday night.
She said 14 male and 13 female tankers made it to the final lineup "after receiving the nominations and carefully deliberating on them".
Jessie Lacuna headlines the men's team, joined by Miguel and Rafael Barreto, Aldo Batungbacal, Jonathan Cook, James Deiparine, Luke Gebbie, Jarrod Hatch, Maurice Ilustre, Jerard Jacinto, Jean-Pierre Khouzam, Jaden Olson, Thomas Peregrina, and Rian Tirol.
On the other hand, Jasmine Alkhaldi is the main girl on the distaff side.
Also making the women's team are Xiandi Chua, Thanya Dela Cruz, Chole Isleta, Desirae Mangaoang, Nicole Oliva, Jazlynn Pak, Georgia Peregrina, Miranda Renner, Joy Rodgers, Remedy Rule, Rosalee Sta. Ana, and Roxanne Yu.
Sherwyn Santiago will coach the men's team with Gary Domingo and Mar Casas assisting him.
Meanwhile, Jenny Guerrero was named the women's team head coach with Ma. Cristina De Guzman and Candice Federiso as assistants.
Most of the national team members were actually in attendance during the Philippine National Open Swimming Championships at the New Clark City Aquatic Center in Capas last week, giving the selection committee an opportunity to see them in action.
The same venue will also be the battlefield for the swimming competitions in the SEA Games, which will formally begin on Nov. 30. (PNA)
