PHOTO COURTESY: YOSEM/Banner by Hanns Delfin
Karen Ann Mantukay
Bright future beckons Catantan, Esteban despite early Olympic exit
No amount of preparedness can muster the lionhearted when competing in an arena where the best and the most formidable in the world have gathered to display their exemplary skills and brilliance while aiming to seize the glorious prize in the world’s biggest sporting stage.
That is what the two Filipina fencers endured when they were unable to deflect the puncture of reality when they both bowed out in the Table of 32, ending their dream run in the Olympics.
Samantha Catantan and Maxine Esteban made history when they both qualified for the Summer Games as the Philippines’ first fencing representative since 1992 and the first homegrown Filipina to qualify for the Olympics, respectively.
With a rivalry to be settled in the Fencing events and an Olympic medal at stake, the odds of Catantan and Esteban facing off in the Olympic fencing stage is if they both reach the semifinals.
But the encounter was foiled at the Grand Palais where both fencers were ousted from the Paris Games in the early stages of the women’s individual foil competition.
Catantan steams ahead despite injury
After upstaging Brazil’s Mariana Pistoia, 15-13, in the Table of 64, the No. 266-ranked Catantan went toe-to-toe with the top-seeded fencer in a gallant bid to keep alive the Philippines’ first appearance in Olympic fencing in 32 years.
Catantan’s significant short stature was evident when she went against Arianna Errigo of Italy, who paraded a wealthy Olympic experience. Even with the impressive credentials, the world No. 2’s struggle was apparent as the young Filipina reciprocated the attacks despite having a mobility issue with her left knee.
Masking the pain afflicted by her knee injury, Catantan refused to surrender and remained steadfast as she employed her counterattacks effectively, narrowing the deficit to just two points, 12-14.
The 22-year-old’s resilience was evident as she pushed Errigo to the limit.
However, experience and composure ultimately prevailed, with the 36-year-old veteran managing to secure the final point via a red card and win the match, 15-12.
“I know for a fact that coming here, I was not as ready as my other opponents because I just recovered from an injury and I just started fencing by February. But I was really happy with the way I fenced today. Hopefully, in the next tournaments, I will be able to perform better,” Catantan told the media post match.
Catantan braved on but came up short versus Errigo and became the first casualty for the 22-strong Philippine team in the 33rd Olympic Games.
Olympic setback fuels Esteban
Esteban, meanwhile, challenged Tokyo Olympics silver medalist and 13th-seeded Pauline Ranvier of France but suffered an early exit as the hometown bet eked 15-7 in the women’s foil individual Table of 32.
After shedding the Philippines’ red, white and blue for the green, white and orange colors of the Côte d’Ivoire last year, the 24-year-old Esteban marched into the Summer Games oozing with confidence as she ranks No. 27 in the world – the highest ranking ever by a homegrown Filipino fencer.
Ranvier unfortunately dominated Esteban on the piste, establishing a 13-2 lead at the 0:24 mark in the first period. Esteban still notched some points but ultimately could not recover from the huge separation created by the French fencer.
“In my maiden appearance, I am happy to have made a final ranking of #23 out of the 34 fencers. It is an honor to fence the Tokyo Olympics silver medalist, Pauline Ranvier from France in the T32, who is also my friend,” Esteban stated after her match.
Regardless of the setback, the Filipino-Ivorian remains positive and paints the future a very encouraging picture as competing for a new federation that is giving her all the support she needs secured her a solid position to excel.
What’s next for the Filipina fencers?
Despite concluding their campaigns early in their maiden appearance in the Olympics, both fencers have already contemplated a bigger and demanding plan for their next career move.
Catantan shared that she will have to compete in as many international tournaments as she can to gain the necessary points to qualify for the next Summer Games.
Esteban, on the other hand, who will be representing Ivory Coast for the rest of her fencing career, will work hard to emerge as No. 20 in the world and reach her peak by the time the next Olympics unfold.
With Catantan and Esteban having long parried battles on and off the piste, bright future beckons the two Filipina fencers as they suit up for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
News
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is pushing a landmark plan to open government-run golf courses to children aged 15 and below—completely free of charge.
Initiated by PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio, the proposal would give youth access to select courses, including Camp John Hay in Baguio and Intramuros Golf Club in Manila, starting at noon daily, seven days a week.
The plan, now with the Office of the President, awaits approval as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. consults with golf industry stakeholders.
While some military-run courses may resist concerns about income and congestion, Gregorio believes the long-term benefits for grassroots golf outweigh the drawbacks. “If we want golf to grow, we have to let more Filipino kids touch a golf club—not just the ones who can afford it,” he said.
With golf’s high costs limiting access, the PSC hopes the initiative will spark broader participation, open doors to scholarships, and develop future champions from all backgrounds.
The Philippine women’s softball team—the Blu Girls—are eyeing nothing less than gold as they prepare to defend their title at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games this December in Thailand.
After softball’s two-edition absence from the SEA Games, head coach Ana Santiago said the team’s hunger for victory remains undiminished. “Nothing less than gold ang goal natin,” Santiago declared, recalling the Blu Girls’ last gold win at home in 2019.
A dominant force since 1979, the Blu Girls have collected 11 SEA Games golds and are returning as favorites. Team captain Charlotte Sales and power hitter Roma Cruz, both SEA Games debutantes, expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness, especially after a productive training camp in Taiwan.
“Malaking bagay ‘yung training camp namin. Nakatulong sa teamwork, communication, and ‘yung samahan,” Sales shared.
Cruz, who smashed five homers at the Asian Cup in China last July, is determined to prove herself on the SEA Games stage. “Gusto ko ipakita na kaya ko makipagsabayan,” she said.
While the Blu Girls topped Indonesia for gold in 2019, Santiago sees Singapore as this year’s biggest threat, citing their extensive preparations in Australia, Japan, and Taiwan.
The Philippines opens against Singapore on December 15, then faces Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia before the gold medal game on December 20.
Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president John Henry Lhuillier’s marching order is clear: go for double gold in both women’s and men’s softball. “That’s the goal,” Santiago affirmed.
Cambodia has withdrawn from eight sports in the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Thailand due to security concerns amid ongoing border tensions, an Olympic official confirmed last November 27.
The decision comes after intermittent military clashes between Cambodia and Thailand throughout the year, including a deadly July outbreak that left over 40 people dead.
Despite a US-brokered truce, diplomatic strains remain.
The National Olympic Committee of Cambodia (NOCC) informed the Southeast Asian Games Federation that it would skip events such as football, petanque, wrestling, judo, and karate, citing “significant security concerns” for its athletes and officials.
NOCC secretary-general Vath Chamroeun emphasized that the move was strictly about safety, reducing the delegation from 333 to 150 athletes competing in 13 sports.
The pullout is aimed at making monitoring easier amid heightened tensions over overlapping claims to ancient temples along the Cambodia-Thailand border.
The Philippines will field its largest-ever delegation for the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, sending 1,600 athletes, coaches, and officials to compete in 50 sports at the biennial meet during the 33rd 2025 send-off at Rizal Memorial Coliseum held last November 28..
Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio said the decision to send a record-sized team was rooted in prioritizing exposure and athlete development over immediate results
“When you send a delegation, they learn. When you send a big delegation, they gain confidence and experience,” Gregorio said “We want our athletes’ mindset and skills to toughen up so they can compete at the Asian Games and the Olympics.”
The 2025 SEA Games will feature 574 medal events, three demonstration sports—air sports, flying disc, and tug of war—and MMA as a value-added sport.
Gregorio emphasized that investing in athletes’ experience now lays the groundwork for future success. “We’re giving our athletes the exposure they need to compete better in the future,” he said.
The Philippines will target podium finishes in medal-rich sports including basketball, esports, boxing, weightlifting, jiu-jitsu, and athletics when the SEA Games open on December 9.
In a heartfelt send-off, the senate committee on sports, Senator Bong Go, reminded the country’s national athletes of the immense pride and hope they bring as they head into international competitions.
“Always remember, you carry not just your name, but the spirit of every Filipino,” Go said. “When you win, the whole nation wins with you. No matter the result, you already carry the pride and admiration of the Filipino people.”
Reassuring the athletes of his unwavering support, the official added, “My office is always open for you. If you need anything—whether a solution or a problem—just come to my office.”
As the delegation prepared to embark on their journey, he encouraged them to fight with determination and honor the country. “Fight with all your heart. Bring home the bacon. The honor you bring to the country—you will carry it for the rest of your life. It is engraved in the history of the Philippines.”
He closed by urging the team to give their best, stay united, and make every Filipino proud: “Show the world how strong and united Filipinos can be.”
