Isleta clocked a season's best time of 2:17.36 to take the gold over Thailand's Fonpray Yamsuan (2:19.27) and third placer Azzahra Permatahani (2:23.91) of Indonesia.
The gold medal is her first plunge in the international university meet in Southeast Asia, and she still has to see action in the 50m Free, 50m Back, 100m Back, and 200m IM events.
At the Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam, Isleta also won a gold medal in the same event, the women's 200-meter backstroke.
Isleta, 24, finished with 2 minutes and 18.6 seconds in the event.
Nurul Fajar Fitriyati of Indonesia settled for the silver with 2 minutes and 19.79 seconds, while Mia Millar of Thailand took the bronze with 2 minutes and 19.9 seconds.
Isleta’s gold medal feat ends the 29-year gold medal drought for the Philippines in the SEA Games.(Romeo Braceros Jr.)
Photo: Cecille Doromal-Waller