NAGOYA, Japan — The Philippines bowed out of the men’s sabre competition after losing to India, 27–45, in the Round of 16 on Saturday at the Aichi Sky Expo Hall.
Gracious in defeat, CJ Concepcion accepted the result, knowing that they had put everything on the line.
“Nagawa namin ang best namin, ibinigay namin lahat,” he said.
READ: Sam Catantan, fencers crash out of Asian Games contention
India established an early lead in the opening relay, with Gisho Nidhi Kumaresan Padma facing CJ Concepcion, 5–1. The Indian side continued to build on its advantage in the succeeding relay, taking a 10–6 lead after Karan Singh faced Sammuel Tranquilan.
India maintained control in the third relay as Lakshay Badser faced Eunice Daniel Villanueva, with the score reaching 15–13. The Indian team then widened the gap, leading 25–17 after five relays and reaching the 40-point mark with a 40–24 advantage after the eighth relay.
READ: Asiad: PH fencing reps show heart before exiting women’s team épée
Singh faced Concepcion in the final relay, as India sealed the victory at 45–27, ending the Philippines’ men’s sabre campaign in the Round of 16.
“Alam namin na sobrang lakas [ng competition] ng Asian Games. Kaya sa result namin sobrang happy na rin kami dito,” said Concepcion.
“Kailangan pa namin mag-train, more experience and more exposure sa competition,” he added.
Team Philippines will close out its Asian Games campaign tomorrow, with Queen Dalmacio, Jylyn Nicanor, Sam Catantan, and Janna Catantan seeing action in the women’s sabre team event, while Jian Bautista, Nathaniel Perez, and Sammuel Tranquilan will compete in the men’s épée team event.