From left to right: Alexa Larrazabal, Noelito Jose, Janna Catantan, Eunice Villanueva, and Hanniel Abella

FIVE UST fencers will join the national fencing team in 2025 after advancing through the Philippine Fencing Association’s (PFA) seven-leg selection process, which spanned 10 months and concluded in November.

Southeast Asian Games medalists Janna Catantan (women’s foil), Noelito Jose (men’s epee), Alexa Larrazabal (women’s epee), and Hanniel Abella (women’s epee), along with UAAP gold medalist Eunice Villanueva (men’s sabre), secured spots on the national roster by finishing in the top four of their respective categories.

“I am so grateful lang talaga because hard work really pays off and to be part of the national team for another year really means a lot to me,” Catantan told the Varsitarian

“It’s another year full of opportunities for growth and really achieving my full capacity as an athlete.” 

A fencer’s highest accumulated points from five of the seven legs were totaled to determine rankings. The top four players in each fencing discipline earned spots on the national team.

Catantan accumulated the most points in women’s foil with 80. However, the top spot is reserved for her sister, Samantha, a 2024 Paris Olympian who was exempted from the selection process.

Larazabal, an incoming rookie for the UST Lady Fencers in Season 87, topped the women’s epee category with 70 points. 

Meanwhile, national team staples and former Tiger Fencers Jose and Albella ranked first (90 points) and second (61 points) in men’s and women’s epee, respectively.

Villanueva finished second in men’s sabre with 80 points, while his fellow Tiger Fencer Kurt Marquez narrowly missed the cut, finishing fifth with 45 points

With three national team players on UST’s current roster, Catantan expressed optimism about the Tiger and Lady Fencers’ chances of capturing the UAAP gold in Season 87.

“It really motivates me more to work hard because I am with these two dedicated fencers who share the same aspirations as me po. Also, aside from the three of us, a lot in our team are also passionate athletes,” she said.

“With my team before and especially right now, I am confident na it is more than possible.”

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