UST Lady Fencers’ Allysah Catantan. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–University of Santo Tomas opened UAAP Season 85 seniors’ fencing tournament on a strong note on Thursday at UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
UST won golds in the women’s foil individual, courtesy of Allysah Catantan, and the men’s sabre, from Daniel Villanueva, on the first day of competition.
Catantan defeated University of the East’s Maricar Matienzo, 15-9, in the final.
“I liked the energy of the crowd. They were united in cheering for us. It’s a big deal for me, I really felt that they believed in me, ” said the 19-year-old Catantan in Filipino.
UE’s Eytria Olarte and University of the Philippines’ Nami Noro bagged the two bronzes.
Villanueva, meanwhile, took down Ateneo’s Enrico Suplico, 15-8, to tie UST with 11-peat seeking UE with one gold each in the men’s side.
UE’s Francis Felipe outlasted La Salle Darylle Lumahan in men’s epee, 15-10.
The Green Fencers and the Blue Eagles are tied in third place with their one silver and one bronze haul.
But UE remained dominant in the juniors’ division, with the boys’ squad picking the epee title and the sabre silver with Von Eubert Gale and Khiane Nash Felipe, respectively.
Gale dominated Paolo Salido of UST, 15-8, in the final, while Ateneo’s Thomas Cabrera denied Felipe and UE a sweep for the day, 15-12, in the title match.
In the girls’ side, Shekinah Catantan won the all-UE final, beating Aubrey Fernandez, 15-7, in foil individual.
Ateneo and De La Salle Zobel stay in second in the boys’ and girls’ divisions, respectively, behind UE.