University of Santo Tomas made history by breaking University of the East’s stronghold on UAAP Fencing with its first-ever women’s championship at the conclusion of Season 87, Friday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila.
The Female Fencers claimed their maiden title, thwarting the Red Warriors’ pursuit of a fourth consecutive event sweep.
UST sealed their victory in dramatic fashion with a thrilling 45-40 win over the dethroned champions, UE, in the sabre team final. This event turned out to be the title decider. UE had set the stage for a dramatic conclusion after winning the epee team final earlier that morning against UST, 45-41, leaving both teams tied with two golds heading into the sabre event.
“This doesn’t feel real honestly right now po talaga, somehow hindi pa rin po siya nag-pa-process sa ‘kin eh. Although I knew po talaga na, before the preparation po talaga, we can do it po; especially po ngayon na strong po ‘yung team namin with Alexa (Larrazabal). Hindi po talaga siya imposible. Well, it was still hard kasi ‘yung last match pa po talaga ‘yung nag-determine kung champions po kami pero I’m just happy po na nag-champion na po kami,” said Jannah Catantan, the eventual MVP, reflecting on the milestone achievement.
“Foil was my main event and we lost (yesterday), so sobrang heartbreaking po talaga ‘yung loss na ‘yon. We knew we could do it, so the goal was to get the gold in that weapon. Pero, ewan ko po, siguro it’s really God’s will na ‘yung pinaka-last event pa po kami talaga nag-gold. ‘Yun po ‘yung strongest team ng UE and we really expected them to get the gold; kami lang po talaga, sobrang lakas lang rin po talaga ng teammates ko. They’re so talented and I know that their fighting spirit is there; it was really God’s will,” added the national team standout.
UST finished the season with a medal tally of 3 golds, 3 silvers, and 1 bronze, while UE earned 2 golds, 2 silvers, and 2 bronzes.
University of the Philippines secured third place, with a medal haul of 1 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronzes, including two bronze medals in epee and sabre.
Despite the loss, UE continues to set the standard in UAAP fencing, with the league’s longest championship streak at 13 titles in the boys’ title, and driven by consecutive victories from both the men’s and girls’ teams.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the men’s competition, the Red Warriors extended their title streak to 11 seasons, with a strong performance from their foil team and three-time MVP Nicollei Felipe. UE defeated UP in the finals with a dominant 45-30 score, a match that also determined the division’s winners.
“Sobrang happy po na nakuha pa rin namin at na-continue pa rin po namin ‘yung legacy na naiwan ng mga seniors po namin,” said Felipe, who won both individual and team golds in foil, securing his third straight UAAP Men’s MVP. “Kasi nga before nung event namin, natalo ‘yung women’s po namin, so masakit po para sa ‘min na natalo sila, so, nung nasa likod po kami, bago po kami tawagin, kinausap ko po ‘yung teammates ko na ibigay pa rin namin, huwag muna naming isipin ‘yung nangyari, kailangan naming i-secure ‘yung gold po.”
“Importante ‘yung programa para po isa lang ‘yung way ng lahat eh. Kasi po kung paiba-iba po kami, baka may ibang gumawa ng way para po sa gusto niya. Ngayon po kasi isa lang ‘yung goal ng lahat, isang mind lang, and nasa iisang page lang na nagtutulungan po para mag-champion,” Felipe shared on how the UE program’s grassroots foundation contributed to their continued dominance in UAAP fencing.
UP finished in second place with a 2-1-2 record, led by national team standout Miggy Bautista, while De La Salle University rounded out the podium with Christian Buenventura’s sabre gold, which played a pivotal role in their 1-0-4 finish.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
On the boys’ side, UE High School secured its 11th consecutive double crown in the division, with James Lim, the Season 85 MVP and this season’s MVP, leading the Junior Warriors to their 13th straight championship. Lim and the foil team sealed the title with a dominant 45-27 victory over UST in the season’s final event.
UST and Ateneo completed the Boys’ medal standings with tallies of 1-2-4 and 0-2-4, respectively.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the girls’ division, UE’s squad claimed its 12th consecutive championship, with Opao Catantan earning her second consecutive MVP honor. Catantan’s two gold medals in the individual and team foil events were key to their success, despite finishing the day with two silver medals in sabre and epee, concluding the season with a tally of 2 golds, 3 silvers, and 3 bronzes.
UST finished in second place with a record of 2-1-2, bolstered by Liah Gillana and the sabre team, who won a thrilling gold medal match against UE with a score of 45-44.
Meanwhile, the De La Salle Zobel epee team, led by Miyake Carpina, earned a podium finish with a tally of 1 gold, 2 silvers, and 4 bronzes, clinching the gold medal in their match with a 45-40 victory.
Recognized with the Rookies of the Year are UST’s Ian Heinz Miranda and UE’s John Brian Siembra in the boys’ division, UST’s Marian Patrisse Castro in the girls’, UST’s Alexa Larrazabal in the women’s, and UE’s Charles Babatio in the men’s.
