Following the cluster’s loss last year, the Social Sciences (SS) Dragons secured a strong comeback podium, surging to champion in the Palarong Atenista 2026 men’s swimming tournament. 

The SS Dragons emerged as first runner-up in the competition in 2023 and 2024 but failed to seize a podium finish in the previous season before finally dominating the championship this year. 

The tournament splashed off quickly in favor of the SS Dragons, as their contender Chuck Bryle Amparo established an early lead in the 50-meter butterfly, with ACC Griffins’ Rodolf John Rasay and SON Panthers’ Clark Kent Rosales trailing behind. 

Sustaining their momentum, the SS Dragons’ male swimming team continued to outpace the other clusters and clinch gold in the 25-meter breaststroke, 50-meter backstroke, 50-meter freestyle, and 50-meter breaststroke. 

During the 25-meter butterfly, SS Dragons’ James Brett Parungao was unsuccessful in extending his cluster’s gold streak and settled for bronze, after SON Panthers’ Rosales and ACC Griffins’ Xander Jannibal Barraca respectively won the first and second podiums. 

However, Amparo reclaimed SS Dragons’ first place in the 25-meter backstroke, succeeded by Humanities and Letters (HUMLET) Wolves’ Dean Scott Sacon and SON Panthers’ Rosales. 

Wading through ahead of School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA) Tigers’ Gio Razz Villanueva, SS Dragons’ Jonathan David de Rosas snagged silver in the 25-meter freestyle, following behind ACC Griffins’ Barraca. 

Most Valuable Player (MVP) award recipient SS Dragons’ Angelo Rafael De Vera attributed the cluster’s triumph to his team’s commitment to showing up and persevering even when, at times, wavering seemingly becomes a convenient choice.

“There really are days, moments, and circumstances where giving up is the easier, faster, and more practical choice; this is the part where discipline comes in. With discipline, you would put in effort, sacrifice more, and go through hell to achieve victory,” he said. 

SS Dragons’ Amparo, another MVP awardee, also recounted that the tournament pushed him to overcome his fears and anxiety, as he persisted in the race despite the outcome being uncertain. 

“When I entered the water, all the nervousness that I felt disappeared and I just focused on the race… At first, it was intimidating facing up against multiple clusters; however, we clinched victory in the end.”

Meanwhile, the ACC Griffins took the second podium spot, followed by the SON Panthers, who clawed their way to third place. 

The meet took place last October 4 at the Fr. Malasmas Swimming Pool, Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) – Matina Campus.