UE fencing teams on target, sweep UAAP anew

UNIVERSITY of the East still found no equal in the UAAP fencing tournament after completing a four-division sweep for the fourth straight season recently at Blue Eagle Gym in Loyola Heights.

Impressively dominating the women’s side for the ninth straight year, the Lady Warriors banked on season Most Valuable Player Keren Pangilinan to rule the saber and epee team events for a five gold-one silver-two bronze medal finish.

The Red Warriors amassed a four gold-three silver-two bronze medal haul in the men’s event, where season MVP Michael Nicanor starred by ruling the individual foil event before leading UE to the team foil plum.

UE also captured the boys’ and girls’ championships.

In juniors basketball, De La Salle-Zobel emerged as the last team standing in the stepladder semifinals to arrange a title duel with unbeaten National U.

The Junior Archers dethroned last year’s champion Ateneo, 75-67, even with season MVP Aljun Melecio fouling out late in the game of the semifinal match yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena.

Jaime Cabarrus stepped up by draining a key jumper and two charities that gave the Juniors Archers a 72-63 cushion with 62 seconds left to play.

Brent Paraiso led the Junior Archers with a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds, while Melecio had 14 points, six boards and four assists before fouling out in the last 2:10 minutes.

The title series starts Friday with the Junior Archers vying to upset the Bullpups, who own a thrice-to-beat edge for sweeping the eliminations.

In softball, Adamson stretched its remarkable winning streak to 68 games after blanking Ateneo in just four innings, 13-0, yesterday at Rizal Memorial Stadium.