Ateneo de Davao University's Juan Alessandro Suarez and Stacey Bernice Requiza capped off their final Davao City Athletic Association (Dcaa) Meet in spectacular fashion, leading Unit 6-Davao Association of Catholic Schools (Dacs) to a successful title defense in the swimming competition, which concluded on Wednesday, February 5, at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex in Tagum City.
Unit 6 dominated the medal tally with 25 golds, 31 silvers, and 22 bronzes, securing the championship. Unit 1 finished second with 17 golds, 13 silvers, and 15 bronzes, while Units 8 (13-8-8) and 7 (5-11-13) took third and fourth places, respectively.
Suarez, an 18-year-old Grade 12 student, delivered a flawless 7-gold performance in the secondary boys' division, sweeping the gold medals in the 200-meter individual medley (IM), 200m and 100m breaststroke, 200m, and 100m freestyle, 4x50 medley relay (with Pietro Dominic Requiza, Sean Alan de Leon, and Almar Christian de Leon), and
4x100 medley relay (with Archibald Nicolas Lonzaga and the De Leon brothers).
It feels great, knowing I did my best to achieve these medals, especially since this is my last year competing in Dcaa,
Suarez said in a Messenger interview with SunStar Davao on Thursday, February 6.
Now setting his sights on the Davraa Meet 2025 (March 9-15 in Davao del Norte), he hopes to qualify anew for the Palarong Pambansa and win a gold this time.
"Since last year ko na, kung pwede mananalo sa Palarong Pambansa (This is my last year, so if possible, I want to win at the Palarong Pambansa)," Suarez added.
Requiza, meanwhile, dominated the secondary girls division with six gold medals, topping the secondary girls (SG) 50m freestyle, 50m, 100m, and 200m backstroke, 50m butterfly, and 4X100m medley relay (with Jaden Monique Labog, Maisie Vernice Labog, and Jemeina Alexandria Pagaran).
This year’s Dcaa felt extra special—fun but emotional—since it’s my last.
Requiza shared, "I’m truly grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout the years."
She aims for personal best times in Davraa and a podium finish at the Palaro.
Other standout gold medalists from Unit 6 include Pietro Dominic Requiza (SB 100m, 200m, and 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly), Georgia Summer Peñeiro (elementary girls [EG] 100m butterfly, ), Jahred Carlos Basan (elementary boys [EB] 400m, 200m, and 100m freestyle, 50m backstroke), Ryker Peñeiro (EB 100m backstroke), Dana Margarette Maligro (EG 100m backstroke, 50m backstroke), Jemeina Alexandria Pagaran (SG 200m, 400m, and 100m freestyle), EG 400m medley relay team (Winona Jamie Liong, Anika Theone Chua, Joguylen Sohier, and Corinne Lagutin), EG 200m freestyle relay team (Cassiel Cabico, Sohier, Ella Dacanay, and Sophia Amacio), SB 200m freestyle relay team (Keane Alberto Alpiz, Pietro Dominic Requiza, Dennis Aaron Bacala, and Athony Acedo), Juan Raphael Estanislao (EB 50m breaststroke), Keane Alberto Alpiz (SB 50m breaststroke), EG 400m freestyle relay team (Peñeiro, Maligro, Cassi Bocala, Cabico), and SB 400m freestyle relay team (Chuck Amparo, Dennis Bacala, Vincent Belmes, Alpiz).
Meanwhile, 13-year-old Paulette Xavier S. Apilado powered Unit 1 with five golds and two silvers, winning the secondary girls 200m and 400m IM, 200m breaststroke, 200m butterfly, and 800m freestyle. Her team also placed second in the 4X100m medley and 4X50 freestyle relay events.
Competing in her third Dcaa Meet, the Davao City National High School (DCNHS) Grade 8 swimmer now aims for her first Davraa Meet gold.
Gusto ko pong makapasok sa Palaro po.
I want to qualify for the Palarong Pambansa)," she told SunStar Davao. MLSA