DESPITE being pitted against more experienced counterparts, the UST fencers gave a respectable performance last September 25-26 in the Escrima Liga 2004 Fencing championships at the Philsports Arena Fencing Hall.
The Lady Fencers led the UST contingent as Sabre event team members Jenny Rose Lui, Joahna Perez, and Karen Soriso bagged the gold medal against UAAP queen bees University of the Philippines Lady Fencers in their tightly-fought, 45-42, finals match.
Lady Fencers Leanah Tulod, Arbe Bernal, and Marianne Cruz, meanwhile, lost the Epee to the Ateneo de Manila (AdMU) Lady Fencers in their bronze-medal match. The Foil team composed of Cruz, Mercely Locsin, Robelle-Anne Esguerra, and Lorieza Castillo, also placed fourth after bowing to the University of the East (UE).
The Male Fencers Foil team saved the swordsmen from an empty-handed exit with a runner-up finish behind UAAP defending champ UE. Rookie fencers Charles da Jose, Michael Torres, and Jose Miguel Cagalingan gave the veteran UE players a run for their money.
Meanwhile, the Sabre team finished fourth after failing to subdue the AdMU Fencers in their battle for third, while the Epee team fumbled early in the eliminations.
The national interschool tournament saw eight schools participating, including the College of St. Benilde, Poveda Learning Center and Far Eastern University.
