Bautista strikes gold in UAAP fencing

Miggy Bautista powered University of the Philippines to its first gold medal in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 fencing tournament on Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Season 82 Rookie of the Year clinched the men’s epee crown after edging reigning Most Valuable Player Nicollei Felipe of University of the East in a dramatic, 15-14, decision in the final.

“It feels really good to be back in the UAAP after five years. I miss the energy; the last time I played here, I was with Ateneo and got the silver medal. Good thing I was able to come back and do better this year,” the 23-year-old national team standout said.

Bautista defeated UE’s Aurell Obzunar in his last pool match before outdueling University of Santo Tomas’ Adam Putian, 15-13, and teammate Dexter Ramos, 15-9, in the knockout rounds.

Ramos and UST’s Kieth Bernal joined Bautista and Felipe on the men’s epee podium with bronze medals.

UE’s Khiane Felipe, meanwhile, ensured the Junior Warriors remained dominant by securing gold in the boys’ individual sabre event.

He defeated teammate James Lim, 15-13, in an all-UE finale.

Earlier in the day, Bryn Gale set the tone for UE’s title defense by winning the boys’ epee championship.

In the girls’ division, Opao Catantan continued her winning ways in foil, inspired by her sister Jannah’s earlier gold-medal finish.

Catantan dominated De La Salle Zobel’s Miyake Capina, 15-4, to secure back-to-back titles and help UE inch closer to an 11-peat in the girls’ foil division.

Rounding out the podium finishers for the day were Ateneo de Manila University’s Sebastian Aceron and UST’s Eilrach Sendico, who both bagged bronze in the boys’ sabre, while UE’s Willa Galvez and DLSZ’s Martina Baccay took home bronze in the girls’ foil.