UE dominates national interschool fencing tourney

University of the East pocketed six out of 11 gold medals at stake in the third and final leg of the second Escrima Liga National Interschool Fencing Championships held last weekend at the Philsport in Pasig City.

The golds came from Joel Landicho (men individual foil), Alex Ragot (men’s individual epee), Emmanuel Bongiad (men’s individual sabre), Ronela Espadilla (women’s individual sabre), men’s team foil and men’s team sabre. Espadilla was also named Athena Female Fencer of the Year for her outstanding performance in sabre in all three legs.

Virgie Nuesto of UP Manila won the women’s individual foil and Justine Gabionza of UST topped the women’s individual epee. Ateneo de Manila grabbed the gold in the men’s team epee and women’s team foil while UST won gold in the women’s team epee.

UE, which is handled by national team standouts Rufel Endriano and Rolando Canals, was crowned overall champion followed by UST and Ateneo. A total of 15 schools joined the tournament supported by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Athena Milk, Philippine Sports commission and the Philippine Amateur Fencers Association. Present during the awarding ceremony were POC president Celso Dayrit, PCSO public relations officer Darsey Geronimo and Team Ventures president Emmet Penson.

Team Ventures organized the Escrima Liga for the second straight year in an effort to help grassroots development in sports and believing that school sports is a fertile ground for producing national team-quality athletes.