Former and current UST Tiger Fencers added medals to the Philippines’ haul in the 33rd SEA Games fencing tournament on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Former Tiger Fencer Noelito Jose Jr. captured the silver medal in the men’s épée event at the Fashion Island Shopping Mall in Bangkok, Thailand.
Jose, the UAAP Season 80 Athlete of the Year in 2018, lost to Phuoc Den Nguyen of Vietnam in a nail-biter, 15-14, to settle for second place.
He edged Vietnam’s Tien Nhat Nguyen in the quarterfinals, 14-13, before dismantling home bet Chinnaphat Chaloemchanen, 15-3, to advance to the final round.
Jose was a four-time UAAP men’s épée gold medalist from 2014 to 2017 during his stay with UST.
Meanwhile, Tiger Fencer Eunice Villanueva copped bronze after falling to Xuan Loi Nguyen of Vietnam, 15-11, in the men’s saber semifinals.
In women’s foil, UAAP Season 87 MVP Janna Catantan took the bronze medal, succumbing to Maxine Wong of Singapore, 15-8, in the semifinals. Her elder sister, 2024 Paris Olympian Samantha Catantan, also settled for bronze in the same event.
The 2025 SEA Games fencing team events begin Thursday, Dec. 18, at the same venue.
