MARIA Mae Ballester of Rizal Technological University brought home two gold medals in the arnis competition of the Philippine Army in the penultimate day of the Philippine ROTC Games National Capital Region (NCR) Leg at the Badminton Hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.

The Cabuyao, Laguna-native Ballester displayed enough precision to convince judges in the Army’s Women’s Form competition non-traditional single weapon that relegated Janesa Rapil of Quezon City University to the silver medal.

“I’m scared of the national finals. But I’m very happy for this ROTC Games. I hope there will be more participants next year. This is a good opportunity for ROTC cadets,” said the 21-year-old Accountant student Ballester.

“Nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa ROTC Games. Ang ganda ng tournament at very organized kahit first time pa itong ginawa sa ating bansa,” dagdag ni Ballester, a  gold medalist in the live stick event  in the SCUAA competition recently.

A few minutes later, she came back to grab the gold in the Army’s Full Contact Padded Stick women’s contest after defeating Miragos Cariso of the City of Malabon University in the finals.  Cariso settled for the silver while Angelique Araullo of the University of the Philippines-Diliman brought home the bronze medal.

Five events in arnis participated in by the RTU Warriors could have been a sure gold for them but they were not considered for medals due to lack of competitors.

The Philippine State College of Aeronautics was the Philippine Air Force’s most winningest school in arnis with three golds courtesy of Manuelita Caido in the women’s Forms competition traditional single weapon with teammate Rikki Aguilar claiming the silver.

Mary Anne Espinosa also of PSCA likewise dominated arnis’ women’s Full Contact Padded Stick as teammate Manuelita Caido settled for the silver.

The third gold for PSCA came from Marc Angelo Lacson in the Full Contact lightweight category while teammate Nesrulla Hdjisaid for the silver medal.

Other winners in arnis for the Air Force were Godfrey Nagamos of PATTS School of Aeronautics in the men’s Full Contact Padded Stick featherweight class.

The  Philippine Navy competition showed Janela Lannao of Adamson University winning the gold in the women’s Full Contact Padded Stick featherweight category and Shoen Michael Torres of University of Makati, who claimed the gold in the men’s Full Contact Padded Stick.

Mel Christian Lalaguna of the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta-Las Pinas won the gold in the Navy’s Full Contact Padded Stick welterweight class. John Rei Dalida of Adamson University claimed the silver medal.

Over at the Dacudao court inside RMSC complex, MC Daniel Lauzon of the City of Malabon University won by knockout over Nathaniel Bermudo of the Technological University of the Philippines in the Army’s men’s 57-kg. kickboxing tourney.

But not to be outdone, John Carlo De Chavez of De La Salle University-Taft won on points over Dhodie Austero of Adamson University in the Philippine Navy’s kickboxing  57-kgs. division.

In the E-Sports competition online, Quezon City University won the gold in the Call of Duty followed by Makati Science Technological Institute of the Philippines for the silver.

Olivarez College of Paranaque City and Marikina Polytechnic College were tied for the third spot in the Philippine Army contest.

The De La Salle University wrapped the gold in the Philippine Navy division with Adamson University settling for the silver. Taguig City University and Far Eastern Air Transport Incorporated University were tied for the silver medal.

(ai/mnm)