UE men’s, women’s teams sweep UAAP fencing crowns

MANILA, Philippines - Traditional powerhouse University of the East swept the men’s and women’s crowns at the end of the UAAP Season 75 fencing tournament Friday at the Philsports Arena.

With young talents at tow, the Lady Warriors notched their sixth consecutive women’s championship, while their men’s counterparts ended a three-year title drought.

UE’s Justine Gail Tinio won the Rookie-Most Valuable Player honors in the women’s division, while 16-year old Nathaniel Perez was also named the tournament’s top newcomer and MVP.

Red Warriors coach Rolando Canlas, a three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, credited his wards’ showing for the rare double that cemented UE’s status as the school with the league’s most successful fencing program.

“Last year we failed to make a sweep. This year, we trained hard and left nothing to chance,” said Canlas.

“Even if we were well ahead and the teams were strong, we fought relentlessly. We tried not to be over-confident, we worked hard for every win,” he added.

The Lady Warriors collected four golds, two silvers and a bronze medal to clinch their seventh title overall, beating University of Santo Tomas, which placed second with a 1-1-2 haul, and La Salle, which collected one gold and two silvers for third.

“We trained hard and the results were great. I love this school (UE) and we are thankful for the trust our coaches gave us,” said Tinio, who topped the women’s foil individual, women’s epee team and women’s foil team.

Regaining the championship they last won in 2009, the Red Warriors collected four golds, all courtesy of Perez, three silvers and two bronzes to defeat Ateneo (2-0-0) and La Salle (0-2-2) and claim a league-leading eighth diadem.

“I’m happy with the win because it’s my first year and the team won again,” said Perez, who won in the men’s foil individual, men’s epee individual, men’s foil team, and men’s epee team event.  “Hopefully, we can win back-to-back next year.”

The Growling Tigers, who ruled the roost last season, crashed out of the podium finish with one silver and one bronze medal.

The Junior Warriors also reasserted their mastery in the high school division.