Richard Mayor Gomez and Coach Canlas

Pinoy fencers getting back in the groove

December 1, 2021 Ed Andaya 595 views

THERE’S hope for Philippine fencing in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam on May 12-23 and 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on Sept. 10-25.

That’s because the Philippine Fencing Association (PFA), headed by Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez and head coach Roland “Amat” Canlas, is now looking at one of the most-talented and better- prepared teams following an extensive three-month bubble training in Ormoc City.

Canlas believes the Filipino fencers, led by 2019 SEA Games gold medalist Samantha Kyle Catantan and Maxine Esteban, have what it takes to go all the way again in Hanoi.

“We’re very excited. Our 24-member national team — 12 men and 12 women — trained long and hard for the opportunity to represent the country again,” said Canlas during the People Sports Conversations hosted by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) last Nov. 25.

“Hopefully, we can do better in the SEA Games in Vietnam next year. If you notice, pataas ng pataas talaga ang performance ng team simula 2015 SEA Games, pati 2017 at pinakahuli nga nun 2019,” recalled Canlas during the weekly program sponsored by Milo, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and Unilever.

Canlas, now on his sixth year as the national fencing coach, recalled that the Filipinos bagged four silvers and two bronzes in Singapore in 2015 and one gold, three silvers and two bronzes in Kuala Lumpur in 2017.

In 2019 Manila, the Filipinos captured two golds, two silvers and seven bronzes in the fencing competitions held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City on Dec. 3-8.

Canlas, also the head coach of the University of the East in the UAAP, claimed that all 24 fencers have already regained their fighting form after almost three months of bubble training in Ormoc.

“Sa tingin ko, nakabalik na yun magandang kundisyon ng mga fencers natin. Sa simula, medyo nahirapan sila nung first two weeks ng September. May masakit ang katawan, may sumusuka, may na-hospital dahil nade-dehydrate,” recalled Canlas.

“Fortunately, wala naman nagka-COVID sa amin during bubble training dito sa Ormoc dahi sa bilin nga ni Mayor Richard, mahigpit na pinatupad lahat ng health and safety protocols. Talagang hotel-training venue-hotel kami. At ngayong Dec. 5, babalik na kami sa Manila.”

Canlas said Catantan, who currently plays for Penn State in the US NCAA and Esteban, who recently attended an extensive training in Europe, are the only two fencers not in Ormoc.

“Lahat ng 24 fencers nandito sa Ormoc, except Sam and Maxine, na very active din naman sa training for fencing. Like si Sam, talagang ang dami-daming nang binuhos na effort kaya kailangan talagang suportahan. Si Maxine, ganun din. Sinasabi naman nila sa coaching staff ang mga programa nila, at nagbi-bigay ng report from time to time. Kungano yun mga competitions na sinalihan nila at kung ano ang resulta, sinasabi naman nila sa akin. Kaya I can say, malaki na talaga ang improvement nilang dalawa,” added Canlas.

“Meron din naman ako na fencers gaya ni Miggy Bautista, na nagpunta ng World Cup sa Switzerland as part of his training and preparation for the SEA Games.”

Asked about the coming SEA Games selection tournament in Manila after the holidays, Amat said the event is aimed at finalizing the composition of the Hanoi-bound national team.

“Actually, it’s in PFA calendar that we have a selection tournament every first quarter of the year covering January to March. Kung sino ang mag-excel dyan, sila na din yung i-recommend natin for the national team. Kung matuloy ang SEA Games, sila na din ang mag-represent sa bansa,” said Canlas.

“At dahil may mga restrictions pa dahil sa pandemic, siniksik na namin yung competition sa 10 days. Kasali na dyan yun tatlong competitions para malaman kaagad kung sino yun papasok sa national team. Nag-usap na kami ni Mayor Richard na dito sa Ormoc na uli gagawin. Perfect venue na dito. Sa ULTRA sana, pero madami pang restrictions na ipinatutupad ang IATF. Talagang national team members lang ang pwedeng sumali.”

Canlas and the two fencing champions — Catantan and Esteban — who also attended the forum expressed their gratitude to the PSC, headed by Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez for always extending support to the national fencing team.

“Malaki talaga ang pasalamat namin sa PSC sa kanilang patuloy na suporta at pagtitiwala sa ating mga national fencers,” said Canlas. With reports from Gab Ferreras

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