THE UST Tiger Fencers topped the men’s team sabre event on the third day of the UAAP Season 86 fencing tournament at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday, March 16.
Tiger Fencers Kurt Maruquez, Larco Cortez, Eunice Villanueva and Ricardo Fuenzalida Jr. snagged the gold medal in the saber category against the DLSU Green Fencers Christian Buenaventura, Miguel Camero, Gabriel Enciso and John Gajon, 45-37.
“In the past two days, medyo diesel start pa e,” Maruquez told the Varsitarian. “Today, kaya kami naka-gold, nagtiwala lang talaga kami sa mga sarili namin. Tiwala sa guidance ng coaches and siyempre tiwala sa teammates.”
In the men’s epee team category, UST’s Kieth Bernal, Godwin Bolaños, Adam Maano and Adam Putian settled for bronze after faltering against UE’s Reynaldo Perez, Aurell Obzunar, Ramil Encelan Jr., 45-26.
Meanwhile, Janna Catantan led her fellow Lady Fencers Sharlanne Gonzales, Ruby Sardenia and Kim Tuy to secure a bronze medal in the women’s foil team category, 40-38.
In boys’ play, Junior Tiger Fencers Ranzel Aberilla, Nathaniel Bernal, Armand Putian and Christian Sarmiento settled for silver in the epee team category after falling short in a tight finals match against the UE Red Warriors, 30-29.
Aberilla, alongside his fellow Junior Tiger Fencers Alberto Arce, Antonio Baydid and Dean Feliciano, finished with bronze in the boys’ saber team category.
Junior Lady Fencers Lady Bathan, Patricia Daradar, Krystal Tuy and Leila Vizcayno clinched bronze in the girls’ foil category.
“I’m very happy kasi hindi bumitaw ‘yong mga bata,” UST foil coach Ricardo Fuenzalida said. “For the final leg tomorrow, we’re going to continue our training para maka-secure pa ng medals.”
After three days of play, UST tallied a total of 17 medals across four divisions.
The UST Tiger Fencers will end their Season 86 campaign at the same venue tomorrow, March 17, at 9 a.m.
