UP, La Salle tankers start bid in UAAP swim meet

University of the Philippines and De La Salle University start their title retention bid as the UAAP Season 73 swimming event unfolds Thursday at the Trace Aquatics Center in Los Banos, Laguna. The Lady Maroons, the reigning women’s champion, aim for a second straight title with Season 71 top rookie Jackie Junio leading the way and joining veterans Marielle Infantado, Andrea Belludo, Claire Adorna, Queenie Lao and newcomer Dennice Cordero. But Ateneo remains a formidable competitor for the reigning defending champion. The Katipunan-based tankers are aiming to regain the title they last won in 2008 with last year’s Rookie of the Year Denjylie Cordero, Tia Lacson, Paui Peña and national age-group veterans Celina Gonzalez and Angelica Enrile-Inton bannering the squad. But the Lady Eagles will surely miss Season 72 MVP Nikki Santiago, whose playing eligibility ended last year. In the men’s division, De La Salle University’s title defense will also be put to a test as it lost three-time MVP Enchong Dee to graduation. Last year’s runner-up Ateneo de Manila led by Evan Uy and Adel Barlisan is expected to crowd the Green Archers campaign this year. - RCJ, GMANews.TV