UST Female Fencers celebrate their UAAP Season 87 women’s fencing championship. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas shattered University of the East’s long-standing dominance, clinching its first-ever UAAP women’s fencing championship Friday at Rizal Memorial Coliseum to cap Season 87.
The UST Female Fencers denied the Red Warriors a fourth straight sweep, pulling off a dramatic 45-40 win in the sabre team final — the title-clinching match.
UE had forced a do-or-die scenario earlier in the day by edging UST in the epee team final, 45-41, leaving both squads tied with two golds apiece heading into the final event.
“This doesn’t feel real right now,” said Jannah Catantan, who later took home MVP honors. “I knew we could do it, especially with a strong team and Alexa (Larrazabal) with us. It wasn’t impossible. It was hard, but I’m just happy we finally made it happen.”
Catantan, a national team standout, admitted the journey wasn’t easy after a painful loss in her main event, foil.
UAAP Season 87 women’s fencing MVP Janna Catantan. –UAAP PHOTO
“It was really heartbreaking,” she said. “But maybe it’s God’s will that we got gold in the last event — against UE’s strongest team. My teammates were amazing. Their fighting spirit carried us through.”
UST wrapped up the tournament with three golds, three silvers, and one bronze, while UE settled for two golds, two silvers, and two bronzes.
READ: UE fencers stretch dominance, sweep UAAP Season 86 titles
UP finished third overall with a haul of one gold, one silver, and four bronzes, highlighted by podium finishes in both epee and sabre.
Even with the loss, UE remained a powerhouse across other divisions.
The Red Warriors captured their 11th consecutive men’s title, leaning on a dominant foil team and three-time MVP Nicollei Felipe, the strong grassroots program for their staying power
“We just wanted to continue the legacy our seniors left behind,” said Felipe. “Before we started, I told my teammates to focus on the goal — to win gold, no matter what.”
UP placed second in the men’s division (2-1-2), led by national team mainstay Miggy Bautista, while DLSU, behind Christian Buenventura’s sabre gold, rounded out the podium (1-0-4).
In the juniors’ side, UE High School claimed its 13th consecutive boys’ title and 11th straight double crown, powered by Season 87 MVP James Lim. UST and Ateneo completed the top three.
UE’s girls’ team also stayed perfect, winning a 12th consecutive title led by Opao Catantan’s two golds in foil, earning her back-to-back MVP awards.
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UST settled for second place in the girls’ division (2-1-2), led by Liah Gillana and the sabre team’s nail-biting 45-44 triumph over UE.
