UP secures gold in Miggy Bautista's return to collegiate fencing

c/o UAAP Media Team

UAAP Season 87 Fencing Medal Tally
(G-S-B)

Men's
UP 1-0-1
DLSU 1-0-0
UE 0-1-1
UST 0-1-1
Ateneo 0-0-1

Women's
UST 1-0-0
UP 0-1-1
UE 0-0-1
Ateneo 0-0-0
DLSU 0-0-0

Boys'
UE 2-1-1
Ateneo 0-1-1
UST 0-0-2
DLSZ 0-0-0
UPIS 0-0-0

Girls'
UE 1-0-1
DLSZ 0-1-1
UST 0-0-0
Ateneo 0-0-0

After five years, Miggy Bautista's return to the UAAP is a successful one, as the Rookie of the Year back in Season 82 for Ateneo de Manila clinched the individual title in men's epee in dramatic fashion at the league's Season 87 Fencing Championships at Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Tuesday afternoon.

Now representing the University of the Philippines, Bautista improved on his silver finish then with a gold medal this time, nipping reigning league MVP Nicollei Felipe, 15-14.

Also part of the national team pool, the 23-year-old shares, "It feels really good to be back in the UAAP after five years. I miss the energy; the last time I'm playing here, I was playing for Ateneo and got the silver medal. Buti na lang I was able to come back and do better this year."

He acknowledges that there is still room for improvement, "Actually, if I have to rate my performance, it was very mid. Maybe it's six out of ten, compared to what I feel like I can do. I'm just glad to have the emotional and mental resilience to focus and win the bout even after being down."

Before setting up his match against his fellow national team member, Bautista outlasted Adam Putian of the University of Santo Tomas in the quarterfinals, 15-13, before defeating fellow Maroon John Dexter Ramos, 15-9.

Completing the podium is Kieth Bernal from the University of Santo Tomas, who lost to Felipe in the semifinals, 8-15, to secure a bronze finish with Ramos.

The University of the East ensured its stranglehold atop the boys division after Khiane Felipe topped fellow Junior Warrior James Lim in individual sabre, 15-13.

It was UE's second gold in as many events, after Brynt Gale topped the individual epee earlier in the day.

Sharing his thoughts afterwards, the seventeen-year-old from San Francisco Elementary School says, "Naka-relieve po kami sa kaba kasi dini-defend nga po namin 'yung title namin na 12-peat, so mas mas madali sa 'ming ma-secure 'yung championship dahil nakuha namin 'tong two golds."

Felipe adds, "Importante talaga sa 'ming ma-defend siya kasi nagsimula siya hindi naman sa 'min, kundi sa seniors namin. Kaya hindi lang sa 'min magiging masakit kung mawala, sa kanila rin."

Sebastian Aceron of Ateneo de Manila and Eilrach Sendico of the University of Santo Tomas claimed the bronze medals after bowing out of the semifinals against their respective Junior Warriors opponents.

Completing the afternoon session saw Sophia Catantan showcase her dominance in girls' individual foil for the University of the East.

After just allowing one point combined in pool play, the youth standout took care of business against Rana Rafael of Ateneo de Manila, 15-3 in the quarterfinals, then dispatched fellow Junior Warrior Willa Galvez, 15-5 in the semifinals.

She then capped it off with a 15-4 victory over Zobel fencer and fellow national team youth standout Miyake Capina, 15-4.

Opao took note of her sister's feat earlier in the day and hoped she could keep that going. She says, "Siyempre na-boost po 'yung mood ko na nag-gold si ate; inisip ko po na sana ako rin. Sobrang nag-enjoy lang po talaga ko today, wala akong inisip na kaba or pressure. Ginawa ko lang po kung paano ako maglaro."

Capina had defeated teammate Martina Baccay in the semifinal, 15-12, ensuring UE and Zobel corner all the medals in this particular discipline.

The remaining individual disciplines will take to the pistes tomorrow at the same venue.