THE UST Male Fencers are seeking to redeem themselves this Season 81 following four-straight finals losses against the University of the East (UE).
UST and UE have faced each other for the UAAP championship on five occasions since Season 76, but the Male Fencers fell short each time.
Last Season 80, the Male Fencers ended the tournament at second place with a 2-3-2 gold-silver-bronze medal tally while UE bagged the championship title for the sixth-straight year.
But the road to another finals appearance will not be easy for the Male Fencers after losing key veterans Noelito Jose, Matthew Domantay, Vonn Pascua, Michael Duterte and Gian Aribe to graduation.
UST fencing sabre coach Ricardo Fuenzalida said the Male Fencers have a long way to the championship with a lineup of mostly rookies.
“Binago namin ang style ng training dahil first time na halos lahat ng maglalaro ay rookies. Biinago namin ang approach sa fencing para mas maka-adapt sila,” Fuenzalida told the Varistarian in an interview.
With the UAAP fencing tournament moved to November, Fuenzalida and the rest of the Male Fencers’ coach staff doubled the team’s training efforts and focused on its physical conditioning.
Aside from UE, Fuenzalida sees the De La Salle University, University of the Philippines and the Ateneo de Manila University as obstacles for a possible return to the finals.
With Jose exhausting his playing years, senior Edcel Dizon will take over as the new team captain.
UST is the second-winningest team in the UAAP with three titles, next to UE.
UAAP fencing action will begin on Nov. 22 to 25 at the Victoria Sports Complex in Quezon City.
