PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—Gold medal slipped from the hands of Team Philippines in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games after fencer Sam Cantantan injured her left knee on her way to winning her semifinal match in the women’s individual foil.
The Penn State University standout was leading 14-5 in her match against Singapore’s Kemei Cheung when she reportedly felt a snap on her her knee. Still, the 21-year-old fought her way in the last two points to prevail 15-6 before succumbing to pain. She withdrew from her gold-medal match against another Singaporean in Maxine Wong to settle for the silver medal. “Una nakita na namin na merong kakaiba eh. May move siya na parang may mali. Tapos nung nangyari ulit yon, dun na siya bumagsak,” said fencing coach Ramil Edriano. “Ang ganda nga ng nilalaro nya eh. First time na nangyari sa kanya ito. New injury,” he added. Catantan is also scheduled to anchor the squad in the women’s foil team event on Monday, May 15, but Edriano said they would use their reserve player.
*Sam Catantan settles for the silver medal after withdrawing to the gold medal match due to a knee injury (Kristel Satumbaga-Vilar)
*The Penn State University standout was leading 14-5 in her match against Singapore’s Kemei Cheung when she reportedly felt a snap on her her knee. Still, the 21-year-old fought her way in the last two points to prevail 15-6 before succumbing to pain. She withdrew from her gold-medal match against another Singaporean in Maxine Wong to settle for the silver medal. “Una nakita na namin na merong kakaiba eh. May move siya na parang may mali. Tapos nung nangyari ulit yon, dun na siya bumagsak,” said fencing coach Ramil Edriano. “Ang ganda nga ng nilalaro nya eh. First time na nangyari sa kanya ito. New injury,” he added. Catantan is also scheduled to anchor the squad in the women’s foil team event on Monday, May 15, but Edriano said they would use their reserve player.