Top Pinoy fencer faces ace Thai foe

NAKHON RATCHASIMA – Wally Mendoza hopes to make it three in a row in the Southeast Asian Games but he will be up against Thailand and Vietnam and, worse, biased officiating when the SEA Games fencing competitions get under way Dec. 8-11 at the Suranaree University of Technology here.

“The Vietnamese have made impressive performances since 2003 but Thailand will surely exploit its home court advantage to rule the fencing competitions,” said a fencing coach during their team workout at the fencing hall at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

The new officiating format which gives the host country leeway in choosing the neutral referees, was blocked, to no avail, by other countries.

Mendoza, who won the saber individual gold in 2005, will cross paths this year with Thai Kotny Weeradik, bronze medallist in the Doha Asian Games.

They hope, however, to get a medal in the team event with Edward Daliva, Gian Carlo Nocom and Edmon Velez on the team.

Another Thai is expected to go all out for the gold in foil, although the Philippine team of Emerson Segui, Ramil Endriano, Rolando Canlas and Denver Atienza have a big chance to win anew in the team competition.

Also out to keep the epee team title are Armando Bernal, Avelino Victorino and Vizcayno brothers Wilfredo and Almario, who replaced Richard Gomez, who retired after winning his first gold in the SEA Games.

Nelly Joyce Angeles and Veena Tessa Nuestro are back to defend their individual titles in epee and foil, respectively.

Completing the women’s fencing cast are Allyson Howell, Michelle Mancenido, and Dinah Remolacio (foil), Mary Rose Alfonso, Joanna Franquelli, Mendoza’s younger sister Wendyline, and Lenita Reyes-Otadoy (saber) and Michelle Bruzola, Elvira Galvez, Mary Chatherine Kong and Harlene Orendain (epee). – Gerry Carpio