CF bets dominate Bladesmith fencing meet

MANILA, Philippines — Canlas Fencing displayed its might as it captured a total of 13 of the 26 gold medals at stake in the Bladesmith Rookie Fencing Invitational last Sunday at the British School Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

The girls’ foil swept all categories as University of the East high school stalwart Aubrey Pauline Fernandez led the CF dominance with her victory in U17.

Also winning gold for the CF foilists were Jodie Tan in U14, Willa Galvez in U12, Christine Morales in U10 and Yuri Canlas in U8. In boys’ foil, Elijah Timbol ruled the U10 while James Lim won in U17.

The 14-year-old Fernandez, an incoming Grade 10 at the Recto-based school, defeated Kaijinsei dela Serna of CF 15-5 in the finals. Dela Serna won the 15-7 gold against Victoria Malvar of CF, who advanced to the semifinals when Sophia Catantan – the reigning UAAP high school champion from UE – withdrew due to injury.

Fernandez edged Venice Villenas of Hampton Court Fencing Club 15-3 in the other semifinal pairing. Aside from the 13 gold medals, CF also took a total of 14 silver and 20 bronze medals.

Tan cruised to an easy 15-2 win against Martina Baccay of Dela Salle Zobel. Malvar and Ina Pascual of Republic Fencing settled for the bronze medals.

Galvez claimed her second gold in U12 in two months as she dispatched Precious Sison of Calle de Armas 10-4. Galvez, 11, a Grade 7 student at UE, came through with a nail-biting 10-9 win over Yuna Canlas of CF in the semis.