Mendoza keeps fencing title; Nuestro also shines

Filipino fencers snared two more gold medals through cliffhanger victories yesterday as Wally Mendoza defended his crown in individual saber event and Veena Nuestro survived her Thai rival’s comeback in the women’s individual foil event at the San Juan gym yesterday in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games.

Mendoza overcame Wiradech Kothny of Thailand, bronze medalist in the Sydney Olympic Games, 15-14, surging back from two points down in the closing seconds of the match, while Nuestro turned back Nunta Chantasuvannasin, 11-10, in anther pulsating encounter.

"It was a very close fight but I was confident that I could win it," Mendoza said.

Kothny, who finished second to Mendoza in the Vietnam Sea Games, contested the points the referee awarded to the Filipino fencer before seizing the initiative at 14-12.

But Mendoza pressed the attack and finally pulled through with the decisive point in the end to the dismay of the Thai athletes.

Mendoza’s win further firmed up the country’s place in SEA Games fencing history as the RP men’s saber team remains undefeated in the conclave for the past 12 years now. The winning run began in 1993 behind the team of Anthony Diamos, Ven Nuestro, Jovy Estampador, Vier Tajonera, and Gene Gonzales..

Nuestro, Vietnam Sea Games silver medalist, had the chance to win the gold at the end of the final period, leading by two points, 10-8, but Chantasuvannasin made a stirring fightback to catch the Filipina at 10-all. Nuestro then scored the first point in the extra period.

Gian Carlo Nocom, who plays for University of Santo Tomas’ UAAP fencing team, won the bronze medal after a loss to Mendoza, 15-4, in the semifinals.

Filipina Lenita Reyes bowed out of the women’s individual foil competition early after losing to Vietnamese Nguyet Nguyen Thi, 15-13, in the round of 16. Nuestro then blasted off Nguyen Thi, 15-2, in their quarterfinals match.