UE extends reign in UAAP fencing

UE men’s sabre team won the gold in the UAAP Season 79 fencing tournament Thursday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

University of the East continues to be the gold standard, ruling the men’s and women’s division of the UAAP Season 79 fencing tournament which ended Satuday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena.

The Red Warriors capped their successful campaign by capturing the gold in the men’s team epee event.

With a 4-2-2 gold-silver-bronze haul, UE completed a five-peat – and the 11th overall – after prevailing over University of Santo Tomas (2-2-2) and University of the Philippines (0-2-3).

The championship was a grand sendoff for Nathaniel Perez, who capped his stint with the Warriors with another season MVP award.     

It was the third MVP plum overall for Perez, who is a veteran in international competitions.

The Lady Warriors swept the gold medals in the women’s team epee and sabre events in the final day to extend their domination to 10 seasons – and winning a league-best 11th championship.

UE had a 4-2-2 haul as it topped Ateneo, which finished second with a 1-2-3 tally, and UST, which has 1-1-1, in third place.

Andie Ignacio was the season MVP, the first Lady Eagle to win the highest individual award since Victoria Grace Garcia won in 2007, the year the Ateneo fencers emerged as queens. 

UP’s Gerry Hernandez and Ateneo’s RV Libarios were named Rookie of the Year in the men’s division.

The Junior Warriors also swept the competition in the high school side, stretching the boys’ reign to seven seasons, while the girls completed a six-peat. 

UE’s Prince John Francis Felipe and Samantha Catantan took the boys’ and girls’ MVP plums, respectively.