Pinay fencer making waves in US NCAA

MANILA, Philippines — Filipina fencer Samantha Catantan continued to make progress in the US NCAA, gearing up for a chance to realize her Olympic dream in the Paris Games this July.

Representing Penn State University, Catantan finished second in the Mid-Atlantic/South Regionals Saturday at the Drew University in New Jersey to claim one of the seven slots to the finals set March 21 at the French Field House in Columbus, Ohio.

The 21-year-old bet finished tied for No. 2 with University of Pennsylvania’s Katina Ortiz Proestakis and Sabrino Cho with 7-4 records but bested both with the best index.

Charlotte Keonig of Duke University took No. 1 with an 8-3 slate.

It will be Catantan’s fourth straight hop to the big stage.

“I’m just blessed I have the best support system,” said Catantan, back in full strength after an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear during the Phnom Penh SEA Games last year.