SWIMMING champion Chloe Isleta of De La Salle continued to make her presence felt in the international scene by winning the country’s first two gold medals in swimming in the 20th ASEAN University Games at the Ban Yang Noi Campus in Ubon Rachathani, Thailand.

Isleta, who is best remembered for winning a gold medal in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi last May, dominated both the women’s 100m and 200m backstroke events in the week-long competition organized by the ASEAN University Sports Council (AUSC) since 1981.

Isleta clocked 1:02.70 — a new AUG record — in ruling the 100m backstroke and beating Yamsuan Fonpray of Thailand (1;05.70) and Azzalira Permstshsni of Indonesia (1:06.31).

The 24-year-old Filipina pride, who rose to prominence by winning the gold medal in the Puerto Rico International Open last year, also won the 200m with an AUG record time of 2:17.46 against Fonpray’s 2:19.27 and Permatahani’s 2:33.01.

In karate, Roy Vincent Vergara bagged a bronze medal in the men’s kumite 55kg and below.

Vergara finished behind Saraphong Audomsap of Thailand and Lasasimma Pbeysavanh of Laos.

Isleta’s two-gold medal haul in swimming plus Vergara’s bronze already surpassed the country’s lone gold medal won by the National University men’s volleyball team in the 2018 edition in Naypyidaw, Myanmar.

NU shocked former winner Thailand, 27-25, 25-21, 22-25, 25-20, to win the gold four years ago.

This year, the Dante Alinsunurin- mentored Bulldogs are back to defend the AUG vollleyball gold..

In basketball, the Technological University of the Phlippines under veteran coach Arlene Rodriguez, will represent the country.

The Grayhawks, who reached the quarterfinal round of the recent NAASCU and CHED tournaments, will leave for Thailand on Thursday evening.

The Philippines is also scheduled to compete in several other sports, including table tennis under coach Julius Esposo and Charlie Lim of the Table Tennis Association for National Development (TATAND), and tennis thru Mapua coach Antonio Quiza.

Isleta’s mother, Cecille Doromal-Waller, thanked the Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines (FESSAP) and the La Salle community for supporting Isleta’s campaign.

Up next for Isleta are three more events — 200IM, the 50m backstroke and the 4×100 medley relay.

“Maraming salamat po sa FESSAP sa pagbibigay ng opportunity for our student athletes to be able to participate in international swim competitions, such as the ASEAN University Games. Maraming salamat din sa La Salle, Sir Lawrence, Sir Allan Soria at Martin Jacob Pupos sa suporta” said Waller on her Facebook post.

“And of course to DLSU head coach Evan Grabador,” she added.

Overall, Thailand has three golds , one silver and two bronzes so far in the swimming competitions.

Indonesia has two golds, five silvers and six bronzes’ followed by the Philippines with two golds.

Malaysia has 1-2-1 and Singapore has 1-2-0.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Ed Andaya