Fiery Parondo, Nocom gun for third Sniper crowns

MANILA—Fiery veteran Randy Parondo tries to add to his two titles even as crack shooters from the Philippine Marines and the Philippine Army’s Marksman Training Unit take the spotlight on Sunday at the resumption of the 2011 PNSA Sniper Shooting competition at the Taytay Tactical Rifle Range in Rizal.

Already the winner in the expert rifleman semi-auto and expert rifleman bolt-action categories of the small-bore rifle (.22), Parondo guns for another win in  the high-powered rifle competition.

Randy Nocom is also eyeing a third crown after ruling the semi-automatic and bolt-action experts categories last weekend of the event held under the auspices of the Philippine National Shooting Association headed by Harbour Centre CEO Mikee Romero.

Taytay Mayor Joric Gacula is also competing in the event.

But focus will be on the rivalry between the Marines and Army’s MTU, which will also vie for supremacy in the high-powered rifle competition—a 5-stage, 300-meter contest.

No less than the finest snipers from the Marines and MTU are expected to compete in the event, according to Romero.

Spearheading the Army campaign are three-time Asean champion Cpl. Rodeney Rizano, veteran instructor Master Sgt. Domingo Agustin and another Asean winner, Cpl. Allan Lao.

The Marines will hold a demonstration tomorrow where they will show their capabilities, equipment and gears, Romero said.

“It’s going to be too tough to call since both units (Marines and Army) are out to prove a point,” said Romero, who thanked Marine commandant Maj. Gen. Rustico Guerrero for supporting the event, the first under his watch.

“A rivalry is good for the sport. That’s the reason why we staged this tournament. We want to increase awareness in this discipline.”