University of the East, drawing splendid performances from Aubrey Paulene Fernandez, Sophia Shekinah Catantan and Willa Liana Galvez, ruled the cadet division in the fencing competition of the 2023 Women’s Indoor and Para Games Festival on Monday, July 17, at the Fencing Hall of the PhilSports Complex in Pasig City.
In winning the event organized by the Philippine Sports Commission, the high school fencing squad of UE posted a 45-32 win against Calle De Armas Fencing Club.
Fernandez and Catantan, members of UE’s high school champion team in the UAAP Season 85, each scored 15 points as they outclassed their rivals from Calle de Armas – a team bannered by the Women’s Indoor and Para Games Festival senior’s division individual foil gold medalist Hannah Belarmino.
An incoming Grade 7and silver medal winner in the Under-12 individual foil, Galvez did not disappoint, showing great composure and lightning speed to likewise produce 15 points.
Her remarkable performance seldom seen from a first-timer earned for herself raves from almost everybody, including UE fencing chief Rolando “Amat” Canlas Jr.
“The event – the Women’s Indoor and Para Games Festival – served as the first test for the girls foil team and we’re satisfied with their performance,” said Canlas.
Calle de Armas, which also had Sison sisters Aila and Aillana, and Ina Pascual of Republic Fencing as reinforcement, settled with the silver medal, while the bronze went to Canlas Fencing team of Jada Divinagracia, Marian Castro, Aliyah Diaz and Jazleen Tan.
In the U-12 foil team event, Yuna Canlas – gold medal winner in the individual category – powered her CF Team A with Elise Acuzar, Johanne Malones and Kaelle Mantiza to the gold, while Christine Morales, Grace Cueto and Allysa Villacin of CF Team C ruled the U-10 group.
The cadet saber team event championship went to Meagan Co Say, Arianna Tiu, Kathleen Tuy and Anya Garcia of Republic Fencing, while CF Team A’s Nicol Canlas, Shanelle Catantan and Acuzar pocketed the U-12 saber gold medal, and CF team of Winslowel Ang, Villacin sisters Allysa and and Akirra won the U-10 title.
In epee, Jowie Cabacan, Sarina del Rosario, Andrea Padilla and Mikaela Ragot of RF won the gold medal in U-12, while Belarmino teamed up with Solana Trinidad, Sison and La Salle Zobel’s Martina Baccay as Batang Calle reigned in cadet category.
