SEA Games: PH plucks 3 more arnis golds to sustain strong start

Carloyd Tejada of Philippines wins gold medal in welterweight padded stick arnis division held at Angeles University Foundation, Angeles, on December 2, 2019, during the 30th Sea Games 2019. INQUIRER PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

(UPDATED) NEW CLARK CITY — The Philippines sustained its frenetic drive for arnis supremacy picking up three more golds in men’s padded sticks Monday in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

It wasn’t a clean sweep like they did in Sunday’s Day 1, but the Filipinos still took three of the four golds on offer.

Elmer Manlapas and Jesfer Huquiri bested their Vietnamese counterparts to produce additional mints to the Philippines’ five-gold haul last Sunday at Angeles University Foundation.

Carloyd Tejada defeated Vuong Thanh Tung of Vietnam for the gold in +65kg and above.

Manlapas edged Nguyen Duc Tri in +55kilogram final, before Huquiri bested Van Cong Cuoc for the 55KG or less championship.

Billy Joel Valenzuela had a chance to complete a perfect run but he bowed to Yong Mengly of Cambodia in the +60 -65kg final.

“This is a strong case for arnis to have more attention in the country,” said Philippine Eskrima Cali Arnis Federation president, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri. “Arnis is a popular sport even in the United States and Europe, and the martial art is also being promoted through some Hollywood films.”

He had earlier predicted the Philippines to win 12 of the 20 total events.

The Philippines has so far won eight of the 12 gold medals disputed in the three-day competitions.