FEU, Ateneo bag UAAP sprint titles

SPRINTERS from Far Eastern University (FEU) and Ateneo de Manila remained to be the fastest runners in the league after sailing past rivals at the start of 72nd UAAP track and field championships recently at the Rizal Memorial Track and Football Stadium.

Sprinter Romnick Herida of reigning men’s champion FEU clocked in 10.97 to win the gold beating Carlo Soriano of Ateneo (11.12) and La Salle's Jose Renato Unso (11.14) who settled for the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

For updates from around the country, follow Sun.Star on Twitter

Meanwhile, Ateneo's Maita Mendoza earned her second gold by nipping Hanelyn Loquinto of FEU in a close contest. She clocked in 12.44 seconds, just two seconds faster than Loquinto.

Luville Dato-on of University of Santo Tomas took the bronze (12.57).

The Lady Tamaraws, who are seeking their seventh straight crown this year, added two more gold medals with Florida Gonzales topping the 5,000-meter walk (29:43.80) and Jenny Togle winning the 100 meter hurdles (14.85).

The Tamaraws are also gunning for a fifth consecutive men's title with Jesson Cid leading the charge by winning the long jump gold with a leap of 6.5 meters.

Other gold medal winners also include UST rookie Serenata Saluan (50-meter run, 4:43.86); UE's April Guillen (triple jump, 11.52 meters); Ateneo's Michael Mendoza (110-meter hurdles, 15.04) and UP's Javier Luis Gomez (javelin throw, 51.24 meters).

FEU still on top of chess board

FEU also extended its dominance in chess by blanking La Salle (4-0) to maintain solo leadership in the seniors men’s division after round 9) chess team championships at the UST’s new Tan Yan Kee Student Center in Espana, Manila.

The Tamaraws under two-time Olympian head coach GM Jayson Gonzales is composed of Lyndon Sombilon, James Bulicatin, Sheider Nebato and Kevin Mirano outlasted the Green Archers composed of Paolo Bautista, Mari Joseph Turqueza, Emmanuel Emperado and Brian Vasallo, respectively.

“Our preparations had paid off,” said Coach Gonzales. “We hope to sustain our momentum longer.”

The Morayta-based squad netted 26.5 points as the team is eyeing for a historic four-peat title in this tournament.

UE on track for fencing crown

In women’s fencing, defending champion University of the East seems to be poised for a third straight title after subduing Ateneo at the Blue Eagle Gym Sunday.

Jamie Nicanor beat Ateneo’s Faye Garcia in a 15-10 in the women’s foil finals as the UE fencers remain on top of the standings.

Nicanor’s win brought the Lady Warriors gold medal haul to three following UE's victory in the women’s saber team event and Mary Rose Alfonso’s triumph in the women’s individual saber.

Earlier, Nicanor beat Natasha Guerrero of the University of the Philippines Natasha Guerrero in the quarterfinals and a semifinals triumph over teammate Czarina Arandia.

In the men's division, University of Santo Tomas and UP are tied with two gold medals each to share the lead entering Sunday's final matches. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)