NEW CLARK CITY – Fil-American Heather White and Camille Buico spearheaded the Filipinos for another shot at the podium after qualifying in the final round of their respective categories in the 11th Asian Age Group Swimming Championships at the New Clark City Aquatics Center here on Tuesday, Feb. 27.

White, 16, who reaped seven gold medals in last year’s Batang Pinoy, settled for second in the heats as she logged in 26.47 seconds to advance to the girls 15-17 50-meter freestyle, just 25-tenths a second behind of top qualifier Rimika Taira of Japan (26.22sec).

The Vietnam-based tanker also qualified in the girls 100m butterfly after posting 1 minute and 3.63 seconds for third place as the country seeks for its first gold after a fruitless Day 1 on Monday, Feb. 26.

UP swimming ace Buico, meanwhile, also barged into two final events -- in the 18-above girls 100m butterfly (1:05.58) and in the 50m free (27.41sec).

Also earning places in the finals were Kyla Bulaga and Abigail Florendo in the girls 12-14 200m butterfly and 400m freestyle.

Alyza Ng (girls 18-above 50m breaststroke), Riannah Coleman (girls 12-14 50m breast), Patricia Mae Santor (girls 15-17 100m fly) and Micaela Mojdeh (girls 400m individual medley) also qualified.

In the boys side, Jamesray Ajido (boys 12-14 50m free), Gilbert Gonzalvo ( boys 12-14 200m fly), and Joshua Ang (boys 18-above 100m butterfly) also advanced to the finals. 

Meanwhile, Ajido was the best finisher in the opening day after coming close to the podium with a 2:14.65 performance for fourth place in the boys 12-14 200m individual medley.