Veteran fencers Nathaniel Perez and Sammuel Tranquilan teamed up with young fencer Antonio Manuel to power Team Philippines to a gold medal finish on the final day of the 2026 Southeast Asian Fencing Federation Championships on Friday in Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam.
Perez, Tranquilan, and Manuel combined forces to secure the Philippines’ second gold medal of the biennial fencing tournament, stunning host nation Vietnam Team 1, 45-40, in the men’s foil team final.
Manuel, an 18-year-old first-year college student at the University of Asia and the Pacific, led the Filipinos with 16 touch points, while Tranquilan, who celebrated his 27th birthday last Wednesday, contributed 15.
The Philippines took an early 5-4 lead after Tranquilan’s opening bout, but Manuel managed just three points against Cao Minh Duyet’s six, allowing Vietnam to move ahead, 10-8. The hosts extended their advantage to 15-12 after Perez faced Le Thanh Tai.
Manuel bounced back emphatically in his next bout, outscoring Nguyen Van Hai, 8-1, to hand the Philippines a 20-16 lead. From there, the Filipinos held firm, fending off Vietnam’s attempts to mount a comeback and securing the gold medal.
Perez, the 30-year-old who had earlier captured gold in the men’s individual foil, added 14 points to the team’s tally. Beyond his scoring contributions, the veteran’s leadership was on full display as he competed through a blister on his left toe.
“Super happy that we won gold. I was not physically 100 percent, I wasn’t able to find my usual rhythm because of the pain,” said Perez, a product of the QCSep fencing program under Quezon City District 1 Councilor Joseph Juico.
“But my teammates, I am glad that they stepped up. I am proud of them that they really played well,” added Perez, who has been a member of the national team since 2012 and previously starred for the University of the East.
Louis Shoemaker served as the team’s reserve under coaches Ramil Endriano, Michael Nicanor, and South Korean Hyungsup Kim.
On their way to the final, the Filipinos defeated Vietnam Team 2, 45-36, in the semifinals, while Vietnam Team 1 dispatched Malaysia, 45-39.
The Philippines also claimed four silver medals in the men’s epee and saber team events and the women’s foil and saber team competitions.
The team composed of brothers CJ and Anthony Concepcion, Khiane Felipe, and Daniel Villanueva fell to Vietnam, 45-42, in the men’s epee team final. Meanwhile, Noel Jose, Miguel Bautista, and Lee Ergina dropped a 45-40 decision to the hosts in the men’s saber team event.
In the women’s foil team competition, the squad of sisters Ysah and Sophia Catantan, Victoria Ebdane, and Christine Morales fell short against Vietnam, 45-41. The Philippine team of Jylyn Nicanor, Queen Dalmacio, and Medivh Boy also lost to the hosts, 45-41, in the women’s saber team event.
In the women’s epee team competition, Alexa Larrazabal, Andrea Matias, and Ivy Dinoy were eliminated in the semifinals after losing to Vietnam Team 2, 45-43.
Overall, the Philippine delegation finished the championships with 12 medals: two golds, seven silvers, and three bronzes.
