Maxine Esteban jumpstarted Ateneo’s back-to-back title bid by winning the women’s individual foil for the second year in a row, Tuesday at the Paco Arena.
A bronze medalist in the 30th Southeast Asian Games, reigning MVP Esteban successfully defended her crown by beating De La Salle’s Divine Romero, 15-7, in the final.
“I’m very happy but the competition is not yet done,” said the 20-year old Esteban. “I’m concentrating on my game tomorrow because it is more important.”
Esteban is focusing on the women’s individual saber, where she also won the gold last year on Wednesday. She is also set to compete in the individual epee.
“I know that the other teams are stronger. But I think we want to win more than them,” said Esteban, who is entered in all of six events.
UE’s Anne Nicole Baring and Queendenise Dalmacio took the women’s individual foil bronze medals.
Second day of action resumes at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
