Miggy Bautista made a triumphant return to the UAAP by powering University of the Philippines to its first gold medal in the UAAP Season 87 Fencing Championships, Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila.
The Season 82 Rookie of the Year staged an impressive comeback, clinching the men’s epee crown after previously settling for silver in his rookie season. Bautista edged out reigning MVP Nicollei Felipe of University of the East in a dramatic 15-14 gold medal bout.
“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,” said the 23-year-old national team standout.
To reach the final, Bautista bounced back to deny UE’s Aurell Obzunar in his last pool match. He then outdueled University of Santo Tomas’ Adam Putian, 15-13, and teammate Dexter Ramos, 15-9, in the knockout rounds.
“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,” he added.
Ramos and UST’s Kieth Bernal joined Bautista on the men’s epee podium with bronze medals.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
UE’s Khiane Felipe, meanwhile, ensured the Junior Warriors remained dominant by securing gold in the boys’ individual sabre event. He defeated fellow UE fencer 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.
“Naka-relieve po kami sa kaba kasi dini-defend nga po namin ‘yung title namin na 12-peat, so mas madali sa’ming ma-secure ‘yung championship dahil nakuha namin ‘tong two golds,” said the 17-year-old from San Francisco Elementary School.
“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,” Felipe added.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
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.
“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,” said the rising star from the junior national team.
Rounding out the podium finishes for the day were Ateneo’s Sebastian Aceron and UST’s Eilrach Sendico, who both bagged bronze in the boys’ sabre, and UE’s Willa Galvez and DLSZ’s Martina Baccay, who took home bronze in the girls’ foil.
