Franquelli, Naval open fencing bid

The national fencing squad opens its campaign today with Joanna Franquelli and Jocelyn Naval, bronze medalists in the last SEAG in Vietnam, hoping to come out strong against separate rivals in the women’s individual saber event at the San Juan Elementary School.

Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Le Dung, the gold medal winner in Vietnam, remains the fencer to watch in women’s individual saber while the Vietnamese are also fancied to lead the chase in team honors.

UST standout Harlene Orendain and Melly Angeles, on the other hand, banner the country’s bid in the women’s individual epee division.

Men’s fencing action kicks off later in the afternoon with the individual epee competition.

Wilfredo Vizcayno Jr. and Avelino Victorino Jr., gold medalists in the team epee in 2003, open their bids at 3 p.m. although they are expected to have their hands full against a field that includes Vietnam SEAG individual gold medalist Siritida Choochokkul of Thailand. — Miko Morelos