TAGAYTAY. – Small but terrible can best describe University of Baguio’s diminutive dynamic duo of Christopher John Manipon and Betty Mae Churping who scored golden victories Thursday in the finals of the ROTC Games Luzon leg kickboxing finals at the Tagaytay City Combat Center here.
Both just a shade over five feet, Army cadets Manipon and Churping made short work of their separate foes in the 57 and 52-kilograms, respectively, in the finals of the meet jointly organized by the Department of National Defense and Commission on Higher Education.
Manipon scored a technical knockout win with one minute and 23 seconds leg in the second round over outclassed PLT College Inc.’s Novem Lozano in the sportsfest also supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the office of Sen. Francis Tolentino.
A UB BS Criminology sophomore student like Manipon, Churping struck Cavite State University’s Marina Reina Bantaya with a hard left sidekick to the face and forced the latter to retire just 46 minutes into the first round of the sportsfest backed by the Tagaytay City government led by Mayor and Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino.
UB’s Dominic Boligan added another mint after subduing University of Batangas-Lipa’s Aaron Carl Recinto 3-0 in the men’s 63.5kg division of the tournament also given support by the Indang City government of Mayor Perfecto Fidel.
Lanky Pamantasang Lungsod ng San Pablo’s Pauline Gallardo foiled UB’s bid for a sweep by outpointing Jinky Agtulao 2-1 in their women’s 60kg clash.
Navy cadets and PMMA campaigners Geron Mark Pugao, Klenov Rei Pacada, Pauline Minya Isabella Sta. Rosa also won a mint each after dispatching their foes in impressive fashion.
In arnis, Army cadet Hearnette Jade Arellano of Isabela State University ruled the men’s non-traditional single weapon in anyo (forms), Navy cadet Mikee Tungcul of University of Cagayan Valley won in the same event and John Edrick Papa of Palawan College was tops in the Air Force division.
All the gold medalists qualified for the ROTC Games national finals scheduled later this year.
