FOLLOWING a fifth-straight silver finish in the men’s division and a last-place finish in the women’s division this season, UST’s fencing coaches are rethinking the school’s fencing program in preparation for Season 81.
Women’s sabre coach Ricardo Fuenzalida said coaches would focus on physically conditioning their wards and joining more international competitions.
“Last year we did not do much weights, so we will focus on that to improve on our physical conditioning in preparation for Season 81. Other schools [like University of the East] are able to compete in multiple competitions abroad four to five times a year,” Fuenzalida said.
UST’s last international tourney was the Brunei Open Fencing Championship in January 2017, where former player Maylene Pailma bagged a gold medal.
Last Feb 11, the Male Fencers ended the Season 80 fencing tournament with a 2-3-2 gold-silver-bronze haul while the Female Fencers sank to fifth place with four bronze medals – their worst showing since Season 73.
UE continued its reign in both divisions, winning its eighth and 11th-straight titles in the men’s and women’s tournament, respectively.
Tiger Fencers captain Noelito Jose ended his UAAP career with four-straight gold medals in the individual epee category, beforeteaming up with Rodolfo and Michael Duterte and Dennis Gascon in a 45-38 win over UE in the team epee championship.
But Jose along with Rodolfo Duterte, Elijah Asinas and Gian Carlo Aribe were denied of another gold against UE in the team foil championships and settled for silver.
The men’s sabre team of Matthew Domantay, Mark Joseph Echavez, John Pailma and Bonn Pascual took home another silver after losing to UE in the finals.
Aribe nosed out Jose in the individual foil semis before bowing out to Season 80 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Samuel Tranquilan for another silver medal.
Jose’s loss to Aribe in the foil division gave UST a bronze medalwhile Rodolfo Duterte’s loss to Jose in the epee semifinals rendered another bronze.
“We did not change anything in the training program but we are satisfied with [the men’s team’s] performance. Despite losing many of our veterans next year, we will have another set of strong players to fill in their shoes,” epee coach Arman Bernal said.
In women’s play, Sherlyn Jose notched the Lady Fencers’ lone bronze medal in the individual category
UST’s junior teams came in second behind UE, clinching two gold, six silver and four bronze medals in total.
While disappointed with his female wards’ performance this year, Bernal is positive of an improved showing come Season 81 when the senior high school players transition into the senior pool.
Only team captain Dizon will be leaving the team due to graduation.
“Our women’s team failed to close out games properly but I expect my players to improve come the end of the K to 12 transition,” Bernal said.
Preparations for Season 81 will commence late February but the Male Fencers will have to rebuild from the ground up following the departure of national player Jose, Aribe, Domantay, Pascua and Michael Duterte.
