By Allen Estabillo with Jed Reston/Philippine News Agency
GLAN, Sarangani — Swimmers from Davao City dominated anew the famed “Swim-Across-the-Bay” sea race on Thursday in this year’s Sarangani Bay Festival or SarBay.
Members of the Davao Merchant Marine Academy College of Southern Philippines (DMMACSP) clocked three hours, 12 minutes, and 19 seconds to clinch the top spot of the annual competition for the second year in a row.
At least 10 teams joined the 15-km. race from the coasts of Maasim to Glan towns, braving the strong tides and low visibility brought about by an early morning drizzle.
“There were a lot of unpredictable situations. The current was strong, the waves were unusually high, the bodies of our swimmers were itching and there was the sudden rain that made us lose visibility of our target,” DMMACSP coach Vasit Venturillo said.
Despite being carried 2 km. off target by strong winds and high tides, Venturillo’s team made a spirited sprint in the last 2 km. towards the finish line.
Contest rules provided that swimmers who do not land on the proper venue, must sprint or run towards the finish line.
Team DMMACSP, composed of college swimmers who regularly participate in triathlons and swimming events, still managed to finish ahead of the other nine teams.
“Of all the competitions that we joined, this one was the most enjoyable,” Venturillo said.
This is the fourth time that team DMMACSP joined the SarBay Festival’s “Swim-Across-the-Bay”, which formally opened the three-day festivities.
A team fielded by the Sarangani Energy Corp. (SEC) based in Maasim town finished second at three hours, 15 minutes, and 33 seconds. The SEC team was composed of members of its security unit under Alsons Security, with one coming from the Philippine National Police.
The Lady Pipay swim team took the third spot, clocking three hours and 16 minutes.
The youngest participant this year was 10-year-old Kleone Mole of Cagayan de Oro City who joined the Dadiangas Torpedoes Team B.
The “Swim-Across-the-Bay” champions received a cash prize of PHP50,000, medals, and a team plaque. The second place took home PHP35,000 in cash, medals, and a plaque, while the third place got PHP25,000 in cash, medals, and a plaque.
All other team finishers received a consolation prize of PHP10,000 each.
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