THE ATENEO Men’s Fencing Team ended the third day of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Fencing Tournament by collecting another silver medal—this time, in the Men’s Sabre Team event. On the other hand, the Women’s Team are still in search of their first podium finish as their lone representatives today–the Foil Team–were knocked out of the Women’s Foil Team quarterfinals. Matches for both the Men’s and Women’s Fencing Team were held earlier today at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Quadricentennial Pavilion.
During the morning session, the Women’s Foil Team put up a valiant effort versus De La Salle University (DLSU). Early on, the Blue and White kept in step with the Taft-based squad. After Jesyca Khoo’s 4-5 effort in the first round, Althea Sebastian was able to maintain a close distance in the second period, 7-10. Despite La Salle pulling away at 20-13 courtesy of Gabrielle Lim and Kaya Ednilag, Khoo amazingly fought her way back and gave the Blue Eagles a 25-24 lead. However, the Green and White were quick to regain their footing as Cyrra Vergara bested Ateneo’s Yelena Martinez to place the Katipunan-based squad on the wrong end of a 26-30 deficit.
Despite valiant efforts from Sebastian, Martinez, and Khoo, the Blue Eagles were not able to chase the Lady Archers down as the bout finished, 37-45.
Briefly after the Women’s Team event, the Men’s Sabre Team supercharged their way through turbulent semifinal rounds against DLSU. In the first race to five, Enrico Suplico secured a three-point lead for the team with a score of 5-2 in favor of Ateneo. The second round saw eight consecutive flashes from DLSU, leaving the Blue and White behind 5-10 after Raphael Jimenez’s short-lived bout. After a grueling exchange with DLSU, rookie Andre Agatep raised Ateneo’s score by eight but his efforts fell short in climbing above the Green Archers’ aggregate—DLSU then claimed the third round 13-15. Stepping up to the piste in the fourth bout was Team Captain Daniel Britanico, though managing to land only one successful attack on his opponent.
While this raised DLSU’s winning streak to three rounds and the score to 20-14, the Blue and White reclaimed their momentum in the fifth round. DLSU’s attacks were no match for the Suplico’s guard as he saved the team from its deficit and claimed the bout, 25-24.
Three swift clashes from DLSU did not stump Jimenez from besting his foe in the sixth round. Although unable to parry agile jabs from DLSU, Jimenez maintained the lead for Ateneo as the score climbed to 30-27. The Blue and White’s winning streak carried through the seventh and eighth rounds, courtesy of Britanico’s and Agatep’s quick-witted techniques. Finishing the match with a sharp point, Suplico concluded the semifinal rounds 45-39, in favor of Ateneo.
In their final match against the home court team, the Blue Eagles bowed down 24-45 to UST and clinched the silver medal for Ateneo. “We showed heart, and we know we will continue to show heart. We know we will work harder next season,” remarked Britanico.
Consequently, the Men’s Épée Team suffered a quick elimination against UST. Bearing up to a 14-point deficit, 19-33 at the hands of the Growling Tigers, the Blue Eagles threatened a comeback after tearing UST’s lead down to single digits at 25-34. Despite their valiant attempts to overpower the hosts, the Blue and White squad of Trino Montinola, Joaquin Recio, and Eduardo Tangalin lost their chances of bringing home a medal, 32-45 in favor of UST.
The last day of UAAP Season 85 Fencing will be tomorrow, February 26, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. Catch the Men’s and Women’s Ateneo Fencing Teams in the morning sessions at 9:00 AM and the afternoon sessions at 1:00 PM.
