Isleta captures seven gold medals, tops women’s MOS award in PAI National Trials short course

Chloe Isleta completed her near-perfect campaign with another sterling performance, sweeping her last two events to name as the Most Outstanding Swimmer (MOS) in the women’s class on Friday at the close of the Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) National Trials 25-meter short course at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Pool in Malate, Manila.

Veteran internationalist Jerard Jacinto of FTW Royals Swim Club claimed the MOS award in the men’s class after winning the 100 free with a time of 49.73 beating Miguel Barreto (49.87) and Fil-Am Metin Mahmutoglu 950.52).

The 26-year-old alumnus of Arizona State University came out in full throttle winning the girls’ 100 freestyle and 200 backstroke clocking 56.38 and 2:12.30, respectively to hike her gold medal haul to seven in the four-day meet backed by Speedo, Pocari Sweat and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

Competing under her own banner Chloe Swim Club based in Ilocos Sur, Isleta outsprinted Fil-American bet Miranda Renner (56.59) and Camille Buico of Rising Atlantis (58.30) in the free before beating fellow National mainstay and Southeast Asian Games (2023) record holder Xiandi Chua (2:13.00) and Mishka Sy (2:22.08) in 200 back.

Except for the 200 Individual Medley where she timed 2:16.35 and lost to Chua (2:16.22), Isleta also dominated the 50 back (27.83),100 back (1:00.31), 50-free (25.65), 200 free (2:04.17), and 100 Individual Medley (1:01.64) to top the women’s division with a total of 231 points.

“Wow, I’m so happy with my performance. I spent more time in training the past weeks and it’s paid off. With still more than one month before the World Series, I can go back in training and prepared,” said Isleta, taking up masteral in Communication and Media at the Dela Salle-Taft.  

The event was used as a selection for members of the Philippine Team set to participate in the World Aquatics World Series (short course) which comprises competition on Oct. 18-20 (Series 1) in Shanghai, China; Series 2 on Oct. 24-26 in Incheon, South Korea; and Series 3 on Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 in Singapore. The series culminates with the Championships on Dec. 10-15 in Budapest, Hungary. 

Other gold medal winners in the final day of competition are Fil-Am Jaiden Monroe in the boys 200 backstroke  (2:09.31) defeating Anton Della of La Union Bull Sharks Swim Team (2:16.35) and Kyruss Toledo of Midsayap Pirates (2:17.75); Joshua Ang in the boys 50 butterfly (23.94) against Metin Mahmutoglu (24.19) and Rafael Barreto ( 24.23).

Fil-Am Miranda Renner topped the girls 50 fly (27.23) against Alyza Ng (28.29) and Camille Buico (28.39); Robin Domingo claimed the boys 400 IM (4:32.14} against Anton Della (4:38.86) and Kyruss Toledo  4:50.31) while Mishka Sy won the girls 400 IM (5:05.40) over Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh (5:09.22) and Kyla Bulaga (5:09.72).

Aside from Isleta, the top16 female swimmers with highest scores in the event are Jie Angela Mikaela Talosig (150), Kyla Louise Bulaga (144), Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh (120), Ciandi Chua (114), Miranda Cristine Renner (102), Mishka Sy (99), Trixie Ortiguera (96), Hannah Sanchez (84), Riannah Chantelle Coleman (84), Alyza Ng (72), Shinloa San Diego (57), Jindsy Dasion (54), Jamaica Enriques (51) and Annika Isip (48).

In the men’s division, veteran internationalist Jerard Jacinto of FTW Royals topped the list with the highest score of 126 points. Also making it to the top 16 are Anton Paulo Della (11), Raymund Paloma (99), Mahmutoglu (90), Alexander Chua (84), Miguel Barreto (81), Robin Domingo (78), Kyruss Toledo (72), Geoffrey Liberato (69), Joshua Pak (69), Albert Amaro (67.50), Jaiden Monroe (66), Jalil Taguinod (63), Jennuel Booh De Leon (60), Joshua Ang (60) and Rian Tirol (60).