MANILA, Philippines—Powerhouse University of the East dominated the men’s and women’s divisions at the conclusion of the 75th UAAP fencing tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Lady Warriors notched their sixth consecutive championship, while their men’s counterparts ended a three-year title drought for their league-leading eighth crown.
UE’s Justine Gail Tinio won the Most Valuable Player honors in the women’s division in only her first year, while 16-year old Nathaniel Perez was also named the men’s tournament’s top newcomer and MVP.
Perez gave the Red Warriors all of their four golds, which went along with three silvers and two bronze medals that helped edge Ateneo (2-0-0) and La Salle (0-2-2).
The Lady Warriors, meanwhile, collected four golds, two silvers and a bronze medal to clinch their seventh title overall.
The rare double sweep cemented the Red Warriors’ legacy as having the league’s most successful fencing program.
“Ngayon season, sinigurado namin (na ma-i-sweep namin) kaya binantayan namin, nag-training kami (This season, we made sure we sweep that’s why we we’re on guard, we trained),” said coach Ronaldo Canlas.
University of Santo Tomas (1-1-2), meanwhile, ended up as the runner up in the women’s meet, then La Salle (1-2-0), settled for the third spot.
The erstwhile defending champion Growling Tigers missed the podium, ending up with just one silver and one bronze medal.