UE fencers dominate McKinley Hill tourney

MANILA, Philippines - The UE Red Warriors Fencing Team stamped its class at the first McKinley Hill Fencing Championships, held April 30 at Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club in Lipa, Batangas.

The male and female fencers garnered 12 medals – four golds, five silvers and three bronzes – in this sport competition for fencers 16-20 years old.

UE was the competition’s most awarded team, outclassing squads from Far Eastern U, Ateneo, La Salle, University of the Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas and six other teams.

In the men’s foil, UE swept the top three spots, with Nathaniel Perez winning the gold medal, Manoah Baal the silver and Michael Nicanor the bronze. They also secured the top three spots in the Top 20 overall ranking, along with Francois Nowell Licono (seventh) and Kenneth John Paraso (12th).

UE also made it a 1-2 finish in women’s foil, with Justine Gail Tinio taking the gold and Wilhelmina Lozada the silver medal. Joining them in the Top 10 was Keren Pangilinan (fifth).

The UE Lady-Warrior fencers also finished 1-2 in the women’s epee event through Cristine Almas (gold) and Kea Gonzales (silver).

UE fencer Clark Vincent De Guzman emerged on top in the men’s epee competition’s Top 20 overall ranking, earning the category’s gold medal. Two other UE fencers who landed in the Top 10 and Top 20 were Ergina Lee Eigran (sixth) and Roger Randall Samia (11th).

In men’s saber, Bruce Ng and Alvin Almonte won the silver and bronze medals, respectively. Also in the Top 10 was Gervacio Sandoval (sixth).

 The winners in women’s saber were Clichelyn Del Rosario (second), Jylyn Nicanor (third) and Rose Ann Reyes (fifth).

The competition was sponsored by McKinley Hill School, in cooperation with Touché Masters Pilipinas and the Philippine Fencing Association, with the goal of showcasing locally and internationally competent fencers and promoting tourism in Lipa.