Fencers lunge for 5 golds

SINGAPORE—Veteran fencer Gian Carlo Nocum doesn’t mind rolling the dice even when the chances of winning are quite uncertain.

“Five gold medals is the target,” declared Nocum with confidence as the Philippine fencing team braces for stiff competition in the 28th Southeast Asian Games here.

The team, whose training was  monitored by actor-sportsman and fencing chief Richard Gomez, will be the first to hog the limelight as it vies for three golds, two days prior to the opening ceremony of the biennial meet.

The national fencers, bidding to claim the majority of the 12 gold medals at stake, are targeting victories in individual men’s epee and sabre and women’s foil on June 3 at OCBC Arena Hall 2.

“I told my teammates to dream big and aim high. We have nothing to lose,” said Nocum, on his fifth tour of duty in the  Games.

A consistent medal machine for the country, the PH fencing squad never failed to deliver golds in the five SEA Games it had participated in since 2003.

Joining the 32-year-old Nocum, a three-time silver medalist, are fellow veterans Emerson Segui and Almario Vizcayno plus a host of newbies in Eric Brando, Wilfred Richard Curioso, Noelito Jose, Brennan Wayne Louie, Hanniel Abella, Geisha De Leon and Chichelleyn Del Rosario, among others.