Members of the Ateneo Fencing Team competed on the final day of the Don Francisco Dayrit Fencing Cup on December 10 at Estancia Mall in Pasig City. The Ateneo delegation ended the Dayrit Cup with five medals for the Blue and White.
After their impressive elimination matches on November 14 in PhilSports Arena, Blue Fencers Coby Villanueva and Michael Tan, and Lady Fencers Pat Sarmiento and Justine Joseph were able to advance to the semifinals of their respective blades for the last day of the Dayrit Cup.
Villanueva was first to take the piste in the Men’s Epee Junior (21 and under) semifinals match against Timothy Gonzales from University of Santo Tomas (UST) High School. After Villanueva managed to take an 11-9 lead, Gonzales requested the referee to pause the game with 26 seconds left in the third set to address the sensitivity issues of Villanueva’s blade. After the blade change was made, Gonzales scored two points to tie the game, 11-all, and force sudden death. Villanueva went on to concede the final point of the match, 11-12, settling for bronze.
Villanueva admitted to being fazed during the blade change, saying he “was too cautious.” However, he would return to the strip in the Men’s Epee Open semifinals in a duel against national team powerhouse Noelito Jose from UST. Jose overpowered Villanueva and took the match, 8-15, giving Villanueva another bronze.
“Going up against Noel [Jose], it’s definitely an experience, a learning one. Every time I go up against him, I feel like I always need to improve,” said Villanueva.
While Villanueva was competing against Jose, Ateneo Men’s Team Captain Michael Tan was also in the other Men’s Epee Open semifinals against Lee Ergina from University of the East (UE). In the intensely physical and tightly contested match, Tan fell short, 14-15, settling for the bronze.
“I know exactly where I went wrong, he was tired towards the end, but I didn’t take advantage of it. I saw it na, but I was hesitating,” lamented Tan.
On the other hand, the Lady Fencers excelled in the semifinals with Sarmiento and Women’s Team Captain Joseph both winning their bouts.
Sarmiento blew past Marielle Peralta from UST, ending the second set at 14-6 and eventually winning with a match point in the third to barge into finals. Sarmiento then faced UE’s Jaymi De Los Santos, whom the Lady Eagle defeated, 15-13, to clinch the gold.
“The entire time, I was down by three points at most so I thought to myself to just stay in the game because it’s not over yet and there’s still a chance to win,” said Sarmiento.
Joseph won the Women’s Sabre Open semifinals, skilfully putting away UST’s Maylene Pailma, 15-12. However, in the finals, Joseph played against national team member Clichelleyn Del Rosario, falling to 4-14 for a silver finish.
“Well what was on my mind was to just get over the fact that I was down by a lot and just try to get the next point. I couldn’t let my dominating side out—kulang lang sa puso,” said Joseph.
Scores
Men’s Junior Epee Semifinals: Villanueva vs. Gonzales (11-12)
Men’s Epee Open Semifinals: Villanueva vs. Jose (8-15)
Men’s Epee Open Semifinals: Tan vs. Ergina (14-15)
Women’s Epee Open Semifinals: Sarmiento vs. Peralta (15-6)
Women’s Epee Open Finals: Sarmiento vs. De Los Santos (15-13)
Women’s Sabre Open Semifinals: Joseph vs. Pailma (15-12)
Women’s Sabre Open Finals: Joseph vs. Del Rosario (4-14)
Medal Tally
Men’s Epee Junior: Villanueva – Bronze
Men’s Epee Open: Villanueva – Bronze
Men’s Epee Open: Tan – Bronze
Women’s Sabre Open: Joseph – Silver
Women’s Epee Open: Sarmiento – Gold
