Arnis medal machine whirs to life on first day
Philippine’s Mike Banares, celebrates with his national flag after defeating Vietnam’s Thai Viet Phu during their men’s welter weight +65kg final arnis match at the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Clark City, Tarlac province, northern Philippines on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019. Banares won gold. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana)
ANGELES CITY—Arnis poured its contribution into the country’s medal chest with five golds right on the first day of competition Sunday, delivering on its promise for Team Philippines in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
The men’s team swept all four titles in live stick while Jezebel Morcillo hacked out one more in women’s competitions at Angeles University Foundation here.
Morcillo overwhelmed Vietnam’s Thi Hoang Nguyen for the -50 kilogram top prize. There were eight golds disputed on Sunday.
“I dedicate this win to my mother, who is ailing right now,” muttered Dexler Bolambao as he kick-started the deluge of golds in men’s division.
He bested Myanmar’s Soc Paing in the men’s bantamweight -55kg category.
Joining the golden frenzy were Nino Mark Talledo, Villardo Cunamay and Mike Banares.
It was an auspicious start for the arnisadores who promised to win 12 of the 20 golds staked.
Eight more golds are up for grabs in men’s and women’s padded sticks on Monday, and four more in forms or ”anyo” on Tuesday.
Talledo stamped his class over Vietnam’s Van Kein Vu in the men’s featherweight +55kg-60kg division.
Cunamay also scored his mint via same dominating fashion, beating
Cambodia’s Mengly Yong in the men’s lightweight +60kg-65kg division.
Banares disposed of Vietnam’s Thai Viet Phu in the men’s welterweight +65kg category.
Settling for silver were May Busacay, who bowed to Myanmar’s Tet Wi-oo in the +60kg, and Jude Oliver Marie Rodriguez, who yielded to
Vietnam’s Thi Thieh Vien Vu in the +50kg-55kg. INQ
