FILIPINO-AMERICAN standout Sean Patrick Lauron is keeping his fingers crossed that he will be able to make it to the national men’s epee team in the coming Southeast Asian Games.
The hopes of the 25-year-old Lauron got a big boost when he pulled off a 15-14 upset of top seed Noelito Jose over the weekend in the Philippine Fencing Association’s Senior Ranking Tournament 1st leg.
A counterattack in the final moments of the third round keyed the win for Lauron, who is from Apple Grove, California, when action ended at Gateway 2 Mall in Cubao, Quezon City.
“It was working. I tried going for the attack to earn the last point without hesitation,” said Lauron in earning his first men’s epee title on local soil.
Lauron lived in Korea for several years after graduating from college. He is now working as an English teacher in California, when not into fencing.
It was the second time that he has competed in the finals against Jose, who beat him in a championship encounter last year.
Good results in the next four legs of the tournament will help Lauron earn the needed points, which will qualify the top four fencers to the Philippine men’s team in the coming SEA Games.
Lauron fought his way into the finals after completing a five-game sweep of the pool matches, before turning back Edan Ensamtan, 15-10, in the second round, and Lorenzo Malvar, 15-5, in the Round of 16.
A 15-9 triumph over Jian Bautista saw Lauron taking on Ruzel Gallano in the semifinals and advancing to the final round off a 15-7 win.
In other encounters, Nathaniel Perez prevailed over Samuel Tranquillan, 15-10, in the battle for the men’s foil honors.
Christian Concepcion grabbed the men’s sabre plum, following his 15-7 verdict over Eunice Villanueva.
Alexa Larrazabal claimed the women’s epee honors with her 15-13 conquest of Fil-Australian Ashley Harrison, while Janna Catantan downed Wilhelmina Lozada, 15-12, in the women’s foil finals.
Jylyn Nicanor took the women’s sabre crown with her 15-13 beating of Queen Dalmacio.
