The Catantan sisters, Samantha and Janna, made their presence felt in the ongoing National Open Fencing championships in Ormoc City.
The elder Samantha, who settled for a silver medal at the North American Cup in Virginia last month, upstaged Maxine Esteban, 15-8, in the finals of the senior women’s foil during the second leg at the Superdome.
She reached the finals after turning back Justine Gail Tinio, 15-1, in the semifinals, and disposing of Eytria Olarte, 15-1, in the quarterfinals.
Taking a break from her studies at the Penn State University, the 19- year-old Catantan remains one of the top candidates for the national team that is being assembled for the Southeast Asian Games.
On the other hand, the younger Janna prevailed over Olarte, 15-6, in the junior finals' action of the women’s foil.
In men’s action, SEA Games veteran Noelito Jose crushed Reynaldo Perez Jr., 15-4, for the gold medal in the senior men’s epee.
Jose is tipped to keep his seat in the national squad with Jylyn Nicanor, who claimed the gold medal in the distaff side.
Nicanor struck down Queen Denise Dalmacio, 15-3, for the gold in women’s sabre event.
Jaymee de los Santos ruled the women’s epee matches after putting away Hanniel Abella, 15-14, for the gold.
University of the East standout Arnel Obzunar dominated the junior men’s epee, with 15-8 triumph over Lorenzo Malvar in the finals.
