GENERAL SANTOS CITY — After posting impressive wins in the 2025 Batang Pinoy here, some young athletes inched closer to realizing their dreams of competing — and studying — in major universities in Metro Manila.

Swimmer Sebastien Marcelo of Pampanga told DAILY TRIBUNE that he is contemplating to go to either Ateneo de Manila University or National University (NU) to continue his swimming in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

“I have two schools in mind: NU and Ateneo. Ateneo because of the opportunities and NU because my coach Dax Timbol Halili is close there,” the 16-year-old Marcelo, who won two gold medals and one silver medal in the boys’ 16-17-year-old category, said.

For Krystal Ava David of Makati City, she competed in Batang Pinoy to get into one of the top schools in Metro Manila, particularly in De La Salle University.

“It is my dream to compete in the UAAP because my dad competed in football for La Salle. I am leaning towards La Salle but it really depends on the course,” said David, who won three gold medals in the girls’ 14-15-year-old category.

McGreggy Odal of Davao del Sur hopes to take his talents to University of Santo Tomas (UST) after setting the U18 boys’ long jump record at 6.67 meters.

“UST has great coaches and equipment for me to improve. I just saw their athletes are good through social media,” the 16-year-old Odal said.