Camille Naredo

The UP Fighting Maroons celebrate after winning the UAAP Season 88 women's swimming championship, November 9, 2025 at the New Clark City Aquatics Centre in Capas, Tarlac. UAAP Media

The UP Fighting Maroons celebrate after winning the UAAP Season 88 women's swimming championship, November 9, 2025 at the New Clark City Aquatics Centre in Capas, Tarlac.

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UAAP Season 88

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762686446968UAAP 88 Swimming - UP - 01399.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The UP Fighting Maroons celebrate after winning the UAAP Season 88 women&#x27;s swimming championship, November 9, 2025 at the New Clark City Aquatics Centre in Capas, Tarlac. UAAP Media"/>The UP Fighting Maroons celebrate after winning the UAAP Season 88 women&#x27;s swimming championship, November 9, 2025 at the New Clark City Aquatics Centre in Capas, Tarlac. UAAP Media</div>MANILA -- The University of the Philippines is back on top of the podium in the women&#x27;s division of UAAP swimming. The Fighting Maroons leaned on a sensational campaign from Quendy Fernandez to claim the Season 88 crown -- their 22nd in the division -- Sunday at the New Clark City Aquatics Centre in Capas, Tarlac.UP dominated the women&#x27;s division, amassing 472 points to overpower defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles (255), De La Salle University Lady Tankers (222), and University of Santo Tomas Lady Tigersharks (204).Fernandez, the 20-year-old sophomore, shone in the women&#x27;s 50-meter backstroke—the same event that earned her a Southeast Asian Games slot—setting a new UAAP record of 29.35 seconds to break her previous mark of 29.85. UST rookie Isha Villa (31.71) and UP&#x27;s Kate Dequina (31.74) finished a distant second and third, respectively.In the women&#x27;s 50-meter freestyle, Fernandez (27.51 seconds) led a team sweep as Atasha Dela Torre (27.79) and Thanya Dela Cruz (27.89) joined her on the podium.UP also showcased teamwork in the women&#x27;s 400-meter medley relay, where Dequina, Dela Cruz, Nikki Sarmiento, and Colette Adanza powered through for a 4:31.16 finish, ahead of DLSU&#x27;s 4:37.12 and UST&#x27;s 4:50.10.University of the Philippines coach Marichi Gandionco highlighted the team&#x27;s &quot;always ready&quot; mindset heading into the Championships.&quot;Every year, we always prepare ourselves to make sure everyone does their best. We always know that there&#x27;s gonna be mishaps that could come our way; unfortunately, these were what cost us the championship last year. This year, coming in, it was really more of keeping that mindset that we can always stay up there and that trying to get it back is no easy task,&quot; said Gandionco, a former UP swimmer.Reflecting on the season&#x27;s success, Gandionco credited both the current roster and new recruits for the team&#x27;s triumph.&quot;It was never easy to ensure that the current swimmers maintain focus and that we recruit girls who will be beneficial for the team both in and out of the water. And, I think, we were able to get that this year. So, we were happy with the result, and we&#x27;re going to celebrate this for sure,&quot; Gandionco added.Ateneo&#x27;s Mishka Sy completed her bid for a second consecutive MVP title after ruling the women&#x27;s 200-meter butterfly in 2:24.54, finishing the season with six golds and one silver.&quot;I feel very happy na this year, I get to tuloy lang this MVP streak. So far, my results have been also better than last year din so I am really happy about it,&quot; said Sy, the 20-year-old who swims for the For The Win Academy Royals Swim Club.UP&#x27;s Aubrey Tom edged UST&#x27;s Shairinne Floriano (2:25.92) to finish second in 2:25.65 in the same event, earning her the rookie-of-the-year title with one silver and two bronze medals.Floriano, meanwhile, claimed gold in the women&#x27;s 200-meter breaststroke, touching in at 2:45.12 to hold off Ateneo&#x27;s Maica Garcia (2:46.20) and DLSU&#x27;s Milcah Mina (2:50.16).

The University of the Philippines is back on top of the podium in the women's division of UAAP swimming.

The University of the Philippines is back on top of the podium in the women's division of UAAP swimming.

UAAP: Fernandez stars as UP women reclaim UAAP swimming title

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UAAP: Fernandez stars as UP women reclaim UAAP swimming title

ABS-CBN News

Published November 09, 2025 07:08 PM PHT

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UAAP Season 88

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UP Fighting Maroons

Quendy Fernandez

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