SEA Games medalist Janna Catantan redeemed the women’s foil crown and captured the UST Tiger Fencers’ lone gold on Day 1 of the UAAP Season 87 fencing tournament at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday, April 22.
Catantan dethroned defending champion Marina Carbonell of the UP Fighting Maroons to reclaim the title she lost in Season 86, when she settled for bronze, winning UST’s first gold of the season,15-3.
Catantan defeated Ateneo’s Beatrice Ursolino in the quarterfinals, 15-0, before defeating reigning MVP Queenie Dalmacio of UE, 15-8, to secure her finals berth.
“Si Ysah, ine-expect namin na makukuha niya ‘yong gold kasi maganda naman ‘yong mga training niya and mga experience niya noong mga nakaraan,” UST saber coach Donnie Navarro told the Varsitarian. “Inexpect naman namin at saka number one siya sa overall rankings ng Philippines.”
In men’s saber, national team member Eunice Villanueva settled for silver, losing his title after falling to DLSU’s Christian Buenaventura, 15-14.
UST’s Keith Bernal lost to UE’s Shawn Felipe, clinching him the bronze medal in the men’s epee event.
“Mahirap na maghabol pero ita-try pa rin namin at gagawin namin ‘yong best namin syempre,” Navarro said.
In the boys’ division, John Malinao and Eilrahc Sendico secured bronze in the epee and sabre category, respectively.
The Tiger Fencers will continue their Season 87 campaign at the same venue tomorrow, April 23, at 9 a.m. Joaquin Edgardo A. Cortez
