After the conclusion of the 37th Regional State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA8) Meet, the Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) Tigers swimming team secured a second-place ranking among competing state universities and colleges (SUCs) in the swimming event at the Visayas State University (VSU) Main Campus, Baybay, Leyte, on October 25.

This achievement holds particular significance for BiPSU, as it marks a return to form after a five-year gap since their last gold medals in 2018, where they clinched at least six gold medals. Despite their past successes, the team had struggled to reach the top ranks.

Coaches Raful Sandigan and Jose Sidaya for the men's swimming team, and Coaches Crislyn Paghubasan and Jeralyn Ambe for the women's team, played pivotal roles in ensuring their swimmers achieved victory and brought accolades to the university in this year's SCUAA edition. They collectively won 42 medals, including 12 golds, 18 silvers, and 12 bronzes, establishing themselves as one of the leading teams contributing to BiPSU's success.

In an interview, Coach Ambe, who holds an unbreakable regional SCUAA record in the 200-meter freestyle category since 2009, shared insights into the team's training and preparations for this remarkable achievement.

“Ako sa sila gipalangoy. Gitan-aw nako ug unsa’y kaya nila. Unsa’y skills nila. Paghuman nako’g assess sa ilaha ug unsa ilahang makaya, didto nako gisugdan pagcorrect sa ilang mga strokes ug gi-anam anam nako’g taas ilang mga load. Nagstart ko sa ila palangoy ug tig-one lap lang sa, sunod gihimo nakong 200 meters, sunod gihimo nakong 400 meters, sunod ning-abot nami’g 5000 meters (I let them swim first. I assessed what they could handle and what skills they have. After assessing, only then did I start correcting their strokes and increasing their loads. I started letting them swim one lap only, then I decided to make it 200 meters, next I made it 400 meters, until we reached 5000 meters),” she shared.

“Bisag ang sprint dapat 50 meters lang, ipa-sprint nako ilahang 200 meters, tag-tulo ka set. Mudagan ug 600 meters ilahang sprint. Didto palang daan, ako na silang gi-andam na makaya sa ilang lawas na bisag taas ilang langyon, di mubigay ilang lawas. Kung unsa’y kaya sa ilang lawas karon, doblehon nako kay aron mas mutaas pa jud ang ilang makaya (Even though the sprint should only be 50 meters, I let them sprint 200 meters for 3 sets, for a total of 600 meters. From there, I begin preparing their bodies so even if they swim long-distance, they won't easily give up. I double whatever their bodies can handle now so that they can hold off longer),” she said further.

She also emphasized the importance of consistency in training, attributing it as a key factor in their success. Additionally, she shared that her swimmers are obedient to her guidance, resulting in impressive performance in the regional SCUAA games.

“Maminaw sila. Maminaw lang gyud sila unsay ako i-ingon sa ila (They listen. They listen to every word I say),” she stated.

Moreover, Coach Ambe outlined the swimming team's future plans, especially for members aiming to compete at the national level. Their commitment to improvement is unwavering, with a goal of surpassing existing records and setting new benchmarks for themselves.

“Mag-training jud. Ug unsa’y time nila karon, ug unsa’y kaya nila karon, mas labwan pa gyud (We will train. Whatever their current time and state, we’ll surpass them),” she said.

“Mao’y amo plano. Kay aron nga pag-abot ug unsa pa nga competition ang pwede namo ma-apilan, mas naa pa’y ikabuga ang ato mga athletes (That’s our plan. So, for any competition that we can join, our athletes can perform better),” she added.

Expressing her gratitude on behalf of the swimming team, Coach Ambe thanked the university president, Dr. Victor C. Cañezo Jr., and sports director, Ms. Carmel Sigrid. D. Docallos, for their consistent support.

“Kang Ma’am Carmel, thankful mi kaayo na siya ang sports director karon kay na-train ug sakto ang mga bata ug ako pud, naka-gain pud ko. Hapsay iyahang palakad. Maayo ang pagdala ni Ma’am Carmel (to Ma’am Carmel, we are very thankful that she’s our sports director because the athletes were trained properly and I was able to gain something as well. Her stewardship is smooth-sailing),” she said.

“Thankful pud mi ni Mr. President kay maminaw siya among mga yango-ngo. Na-motivate pud kaayo ang mga bata sa iya promise na mga scholarship. Thankful mi kaayo sa atong president kay taas siya’g panlantaw para sa kaayohan sa mga bata, apil naming mga coaches ug trainers (We are also thankful for Mr. President because he listens to our concerns. The athletes were also motivated because of the scholarship that he promised to them. We are very thankful that his outlook towards the betterment of the student-athletes is high, including us coaches and trainers),” she went on.

In summary, this success highlights BiPSU's dedication to achieving excellence in sports, and the institution takes great pride in this accomplishment.

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