There is no stopping the Davao City Durians in the pool as they extended their dominance in the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2025 swimming competition at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Complex (DNSTC). After three days of action, the Durians amassed 35 golds, 27 silvers, and 17 bronzes as of March 12, with 23 golds coming in just the past two days.
The Durians made an explosive start, collecting 13 golds, 18 silvers, and five bronzes on the first day. They followed it up with 11 golds, 10 silvers, and six bronzes on the second day, and another 11 golds, nine silvers, and six bronzes on Day 3.
Meanwhile, the Davao del Norte Pioneers trailed in second place with a three-day tally of nine golds, seven silvers, and 14 bronzes, while the Davao de Oro Golden Titans (4-5-6) settled for third. Tagum City Pioneers (2-11-8) and Digos City Trekkers (2-0-1) rounded out the top five.
Ateneo de Davao University standout Pietro Dominic Requiza continued his winning streak, securing three more gold medals on the third day to bring his total to six. He dominated the 200m and 50m backstroke before anchoring the 4x50m freestyle relay team, alongside Almar Christian de Leon, Archibald Nicolas Lonzaga, and Liam Nigel Rebaya.
"It was great actually. I bagged another three gold medals," Requiza said in a Messenger interview with SunStar Davao on Wednesday, March 12.
Earlier in the competition, he had already claimed golds in the 50m butterfly and 100m backstroke, while also leading Davao City's 4x50m medley relay team with Juan Alessandro Suarez, Jian Paul Baulos, and Sean Alan de Leon. With only one event left on the final day, March 13, Requiza admitted feeling the pressure.
It's the only one left to make the sweep—just a few steps away from my goals,
Requiza said, determined to cap off his final Davraa stint with a perfect seven-gold finish.
Beyond the competition, Requiza shared his aspirations of continuing his swimming career while pursuing a Psychology degree at one of the top four universities in the National Capital Region. He also expressed interest in eventually entering law school to follow in his mother's footsteps.
Meanwhile, Davao City National High School’s Paulette Xavier Apilado defied the odds, clinching three gold medals on Day 2 despite a swollen knee. She ruled the secondary girls' 200m breaststroke, 200m individual medley (IM), and the 4x100m medley relay with teammates Stacey Bernice Requiza, Zhamella Claire Mirantes, and Jemeina Alexandra Pagaran.
"I feel very happy and grateful," Apilado said, though she downplayed talks of a golden sweep, having already won four golds, including the 200m butterfly.
Stacey Bernice also shone in the pool, adding two more golds in the 200m and 50m backstroke, after bagging three golds on the opening day in the 50m butterfly, 100m backstroke, and 4x50m medley relay with Pagaran, Mirantes, and Zoe Alexandra Raut.
The Durians’ medal haul continued to grow with standout performances from gold medalists Juan Alessandro Suarez (SB 200m breaststroke, 200m IM, and 100m freestyle), Juan Raphael Estanislao (EB 50m breaststroke), Jahred Carlos Basan (EB 100m and 400m freestyle), and Zoe Alexandra Raut (SG 100m freestyle). The elementary girls' 4x100m medley relay team of Maria Sofia Claudio, Kai Monique Solana, Ziva Alexci Lomuntad, and Georgia Summer Peñeiro also contributed to the tally, alongside the secondary boys' 4x100m medley relay squad of Archibald Nicolas Lonzaga, Keane Alberto Alpiz, Rodolfo Paulo Apilado III, and Sean Alan de Leon.
Other golden performances came from Jian Paul Baulos (SB 100m butterfly), Ryker Zeke Peñeiro (EB 50m backstroke), and the elementary boys’ and girls' 4x50m freestyle relay teams.
As the final day approaches, the Davao City Durians are on track to cement their status as the undisputed swimming champions of Davraa 2025.
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