BCT Arnis Team concludes DAPRISA Games ’23 stint with 10 gold medals

By Alya Marie Smith, DAPRISA Games ’23 Correspondent

Brokenshire College Toril’s (BCT) Arnis Team “Brokenshire Arnis Kali Eskrima” brought home ten gold medals from the DAPRISA Games ’23 Arnis tournament held yesterday at the Kapatirang Doble Olisi Escrima.

Unopposed, BCT’s arnis delegates were announced champions in nine out of ten weight divisions and are qualified to compete in the DCAA Meet.

The lone athlete opposed, Mark Jomel Mercado, won his only match, 2–1, against Askaps Academy Inc.’s Fernandez to triumph in the event’s featherweight division, solidifying the arnis team’s perfect qualifying for the DCAA Meet.

Mercado figured in Solo Arnis Sparring match that saw players both exchange intense strikes throughout three rounds.

Showcasing his meticulous knowledge of the sport through an array of calculated and consistent powerful strikes, Mercado emerged victorious and took the first round.

Fighting back, Mercado’s opponent, Fernandez, composed himself just in time to win the second round after launching multiple successful strikes.

Heading into the final round tied at 1–1, the players gave their best attacks and strategies to end the third round tied at 4–4.

Mercado with the advantage point as he won the first round and the last point of the third round, ultimately won the match and secured the division’s top prize.

Mercado’s win closed the arnis team’s DAPRISA Games ’23 campaign cleanly as they focus their sights on the DCAA Meet this February 2024. The arnis athletes set to compete DCAA Meet ’24, still under the coaching of Jhonrae Neil Malunao, are as follows:

Girls Pinweight Division Champion — Paunil, Shane

Girls Bantamweight Division Champion — Ugpo, Angel Lyka

Girls Featherweight Division Champion — Stanton, Sophia

Girls Extra Lightweight Division Champion — Grafia, Jamia Rose

Girls Half Lightweight Division Champion — Lonceras, Jemelle

Boys Pinweight Division Champion — Diaz, Ryan Edward

Boys Bantamweight Division Champion — Ringor, Kenjie

Boys Featherweight Division Champion — Mercado, Mark Jomel

Boys Extra Lightweight Division Champion — Patiluna, Waren

Boys Half Lightweight Division Champion — Tan, Alexander III