University of the Philippines swimmer Quendy Fernandez wears the medals she won at the 2024 BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games in Puerto Princesa City. She earned a slot in the Thailand Southeast Asian Games-bound team after qualifying in the women’s 50m backstroke event during the national tryouts at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Center at the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on Friday (Aug. 22, 2025). (Contributed photo)
Palawan’s rising star Quendy Fernandez secured a coveted spot on the Philippine national swimming team for this year’s Southeast Asian (SEA) Games after an impressive showing at the national tryouts held Friday at the Teofilo Yldefonso Swimming Center inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
The University of the Philippines standout booked her place in the 50-meter backstroke, clocking 29.23 seconds—just behind two-time Olympian Kayla Noelle Sanchez (29.00). Filipino-American Teia Isabella Salvino rounded out the top three with 29.85.
Fernandez has quickly established herself as one of the country’s brightest young swimmers. She was named Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player after leading the UP Fighting Maroons to the UAAP Season 86 championship in 2023. That same year, she struck gold four times at the BIMP-EAGA Friendship Games in Puerto Princesa, dominating the 50m and 100m backstroke, as well as the 4x50m medley and 200m freestyle relays.
Sanchez, meanwhile, showcased her world-class form in the 100m freestyle, finishing in 55.00 seconds—well under the Qualifying Time Standard (QTS) of 58.23. Her time was even faster than the 55.83 that won Singapore’s Quah Ting Wen the gold medal at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia. Joining her in qualifying for the event were Filipino-British Heather White (56.23), 2023 SEA Games champion Xiandi Chua (56.95), and 2022 Hanoi gold medalist Chloe Isleta (58.08).
Another strong performance came from World Junior Championships veteran Micaela Jasmine Mojdeh, who clinched the 200m butterfly crown in 2:18.18, narrowly surpassing the QTS of 2:18.26. Patricia Mae Santor (2:19.45) and Shairinne Floriano (2:25.40) completed the podium.
In the men’s division, Filipino-Japanese swimmer Logan Wataru Noguchi made waves with two gold-medal finishes, both within QTS times. Noguchi ruled the 100m freestyle in 50.18 seconds, outpacing Gian Santos (51.30) and Albert Amaro (51.48). He also reigned in the 50m backstroke at 26.04 seconds, edging out Fil-Am Joran Paul Orogo (26.05), Fil-Mongolian Metin Junior Jason Mahmutoglu (26.53), and Ivo Nikolai Enot (26.69)—all of whom also qualified for Bangkok.
Despite rainy conditions, Philippine Aquatics, Inc. (PAI) secretary-general Eric Buhain expressed optimism about the team’s prospects.
“It was bad weather but great results for our top swimmers, especially Kayla (Sanchez), whose 100-meter freestyle time is already at a SEA Games gold-medal level. We still have four months to prepare,” Buhain said in a statement.
“Our elite swimmers are coming off training abroad, while our promising talents continue to show improvement in local and international meets. We expect more QTS performances as the tryouts progress,” he added.