South Warriors swimmers won 44 medals at the Vermosa Victory Games in Imus, Cavite on March 22, 2026. The team is coached by Marlon Dula (extreme left, back row). (Contributed photo)
The South Warriors Swimming Team turned in a standout performance at the recent Vermosa Victory Games, proudly hauling in 44 medals at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite.
Leading the charge were Marcus Jared Balanquit Dula in Class A, along with Thyme Millar, Shaun Jacobo Villanueva, Joaquin Angelo Matudio, and Von Braiden Palma in Class C, all of whom earned Most Outstanding Swimmer honors after delivering dominant performances in their respective divisions.
In the 13-14 age group, Dula showcased his all-around ability in the boys’ division by winning three gold medals in the 50-meter butterfly, 50-meter backstroke, and 200-meter individual medley. He also added a silver in the 50-meter freestyle and a bronze in the 50-meter breaststroke. Millar was just as impressive in the girls’ side, collecting five gold medals in the 50-meter butterfly, 50-meter backstroke, 200-meter individual medley, 50-meter breaststroke, and 50-meter freestyle, plus two silvers in the 4×50-meter medley relay and 4×50-meter freestyle relay.
In the 11-12 category, Villanueva delivered a strong campaign with one gold in the 50-meter freestyle, two silvers in the 50-meter butterfly and 50-meter backstroke, and a bronze in the 200-meter individual medley.
The team also drew strength from its younger standouts in the 7-8 division. Palma won two gold medals in the 50-meter butterfly and 4×50-meter freestyle relay, while also earning two silvers in the 50-meter backstroke and 100-meter freestyle, and a bronze in the 50-meter freestyle. Matudio, meanwhile, claimed gold in the 50-meter freestyle, added three silvers in the 50-meter backstroke, 100-meter freestyle, and 4×50-meter freestyle relay, and picked up a bronze in the 50-meter breaststroke.
Behind the team’s continued rise is coach Marlon Dula, who began mentoring young swimmers in 2009 at the Susan Papa Swim Academy, which later became the South Warriors Swimming Team.
“My goal is to continue the grassroots program of coach Susan, to produce swimmers who will excel in the Palarong Pambansa and become members of the national team,” Dula said in an interview on Monday.
Dula, together with the late coach Susan Papa, helped develop national swimmers Jasmine Mojdeh and Heather White, both of whom went on to win medals in competitions here and abroad.
Among the proud products of the program is Elijah Ebayan, who competed in the 2024 Southeast Asia Age Group Championships in New Clark City, Tarlac, and is now part of the San Beda Alabang varsity team.
With its latest medal haul, South Warriors once again proved that its grassroots program is not only producing champions, but also building the next generation of elite Filipino swimmers.