ZAMBOANGA CITY – As expected, the Philippine Army grabbed nine golds to dominate the first day of the medal-rich swimming competitions at the Joaquin F.  Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex Aquatic Center.

Ronnie Tayom, Reymond Pelisan, Herjamie Guiao, Jellie S. Somera, and Jovaira Valle collected two gold medals apiece in their respective events to lead the Army cadets' onslaught in the swimming competition.

Tayom ruled the men’s 200-m individual medley in 3:07.02 as well as the men’s 50-m backstroke in 37.04, while Pelisan won the men’s 100-m freestyle in 1:09.84 and Guiao clocked 37.73 to win the men’s 50-m butterfly and the 200-m breaststroke in 3:58.83.

Somera, on the other hand, proved too much in the women’s 100-m freestyle in 1:22.38 and 50-m backstroke in 41.55, while Valle made her presence felt in the women’s 200-m individual medley in 4:13.62 and 50-m butterfly 45.30.

The Air Force cadets, likewise, took six golds courtesy of John Austin Hampac in the men’s 100-m freestyle in 59.33 and 50-m butterfly in 28.06.

Action continues Tuesday as arnis and chess will be played at the Zamboanga State College of Marine Sciences and Technology Gymnasium, while athletics and swimming will be held at the Joaquin F. Enriquez  Memorial Sports Complex.