Defending champions Davao City Durians made a strong statement on the opening day of the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2025 swimming competition, collecting 13 gold, eight silver, and five bronze medals at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex (DNSTC) pool on Monday, March 10.
Davao del Norte Pioneers followed in a distant second with two golds, three silvers, and seven bronzes, while Davao de Oro Golden Titans placed third with a 1-2-3 medal count. Digos City Trekkers and Panabo City Banana Magnates tied for fourth with one gold each.
Siblings’ act
Ateneo de Davao University's (AdDU) Requiza siblings, Pietro Dominic and Stacey Bernice, spearheaded the Durians' medal haul.
Pietro bagged three golds, topping the secondary boys' 50m butterfly and 100m backstroke, while also leading the city's 4x50m medley relay team with Juan Alessandro Suarez, Jian Paul Baulos, and Sean Alan de Leon.
It was fun and exciting since the adrenaline was kicking in—this is my last Davraa,
said the Grade 12 swimmer. "I just want to make these memories last forever and give it my all."
Despite feeling he could have done better, he remained proud of his performance.
Diagnosed with asthma as a child, he took up swimming on his doctor's advice, unaware that it would lead him to championship success. He dedicated his triple-gold feat to himself for his hard work and to everyone who believed in his journey.
After winning six golds and one silver last year, Pietro now sets his sights on a golden sweep in his final Davraa stint.
His younger sister, Stacey Bernice, also delivered three gold medals, dominating the secondary girls' (SG) 50m butterfly, 100m backstroke, and 5x50m medley relay alongside Jemeina Alexandra Pagaran, Zhamella Claire Mirantes, and Zoe Alexandra Raut.
"At first, I was really nervous because of the qualifying time standard. I was a bit disappointed with my 50m butterfly since I was just a second short of qualifying," Stacey, an AdDU 11th grader, admitted. "But by God's grace, I made up for it in the 100m backstroke, where I successfully qualified."
More golds
Rodolfo Apilado III added two more golds in the SB 400m freestyle and 200m butterfly, while his younger sister, Paulette Xavier, triumphed in the SG 200m butterfly despite battling a swollen knee. "Surprisingly, I shaved seven seconds off my previous time," she shared. She plans to undergo a check-up if the swelling persists.
Other Dabawenyo gold medalists included Jahred Carlos Basan, who ruled the elementary boys’ 200m freestyle and 100m backstroke. Basan also anchored the elementary boys’ 4x50m medley relay team to gold alongside Niel Reggie Sinangote, Ryker Peñero, and Marcus Yulo.
Kai Monique Solana contributed another gold in the elementary girls' 200m freestyle, capping an impressive first day for the Durians.
SunStar Davao’s special coverage of the Davraa Meet 2025 is proudly supported by key sponsors, including Davao de Oro 1st District Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), Santos Land Development Corporation, Noe Butchoy Taojo, Panabo City Information Office led by Mayor Jose Joe Relampagos, Atty. Karlo Nograles, Davao Oriental Rep. Cheeno Almario, and Aeon Luxe Properties. MLSA