There is a good reason for UPDT to celebrate after SAVA Sprints V: a Silver in the 200m International Freestyle Category, and a Third Place standing in the 200m International Men's Open Plate Finals.
Several international teams participated in the event, including those of expatriates based in Singapore. Five teams were from the Philippines - CamSur (powerhouse!), Philippine National Women's Team (simply unbeatable!), Triton, Drago Pilipinas, and of course the UP Dragonboat Team.
The Malaysians and university-based Singaporean teams were the line-ups to beat. The had all the advantages: experience, training, physique, funding. My team, after a long hiatus from international races, only brought one thing to Singapore - fighting spirit.
And this did not fail us. After the two-day race, we won a Silver in the 200m International Freestyle and was Third Place in the 200m International Men's Open Plate Finals. Overall, we ranked 8th out of the 35 teams competing in the men's open. No doubt, a srong come-back by the UP Dragonboat Team.
The other Filipino teams were winners as well, with CamSur winning the Gold in the men's open and the Philippine National Team topping the Women's Nation Cup. Drago Pilipinas, Triton, and the Singapore-based Filipino Dragons did not go home empty-handed as well. SAVA, I should say, was ruled by Filipinos.
To the UP Dragonboat Team, welcome back to the league!
