Fencers Nathaniel Perez and Hanniel Abella fell short in their bids to join Samantha Catantan to the 2024 Paris Games after bowing in their respective events in the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifier in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates over the weekend.

Abella came up short in the women’s epee after succumbing to Singaporean top seed and 2020 Tokyo Olympian Kiria Tikanah, 15-8, in the quarterfinals, while Perez yielded in his Round of 16 match against Australian Joseph Glasson, 15-8, in the men’s foil.

Abella and Perez joined Noelito Jose, who was the team’s first casualty early Saturday, April 27, before Catantan booked her place in the Olympics.

Jose, who was 14th seed in the pool stage, exited in the Round of 16 after bowing to third seed Jian Tong Sito of Singapore, 15-13, in men’s epee.

Though it was a heartbreak for them and the Nationals, Catantan made sure they would not go home empty handed after ruling the women’s foil event where she defied odds when she won over a taller rival in 

Kazakhstan's Sofiya Aktayeva, 15-14.

The 22-year-old’s triumphant finish made her the 12th Filipino representative to the Games slated July 26 to Aug. 11 at the lovely French capital.