After missing the podium last year, the UST Tiger Fencers head into UAAP Season 88 with renewed determination to reestablish themselves among the league’s top contenders
In Season 87, UST finished fourth in the men’s division with a 0-2-3 gold-silver-bronze medal tally, snapping a streak of two straight silver-medal finishes that dated back to Season 85.
Despite that result, UST saber head coach Donnie Navarro believes the squad can bounce back in what he expects to be a tougher field this season.
“Medyo masama ‘yong last year,” UST saber head coach Donnie Navarro told the Varsitarian. “Ngayon, medyo mahirap, kasi malakas din talaga ‘yong mga kalaban, pero trabaho lang. Nagtatrabaho rin naman nang maayos ‘yong mga players.”
Navarro said the team’s participation in international tournaments during the offseason, including the Asian Cadet & Junior Championships, helped strengthen its preparation.
However, the Tiger Fencers will try to return to the podium without one of their key veterans and national team athlete, Eunice Villanueva, who exceeded the UAAP age limit after turning 26.
Villanueva represented the Philippines in December at the 2025 SEA Games in Vietnam, where he captured two bronze medals in the individual and team saber events.
In Villanueva’s absence, the team will rely on Larco Cortez, Ricardo Fuenzalida, Joaquin Chan and Christian Sarmiento in the men’s saber category. Adam Putian and Keith Bernal will lead the epee unit, while Markke Abaygar, Joseph Amores, and Jose Soyangco will anchor the foil events.
The last time the Tiger Fencers captured the championship was in Season 74 in 2011, when Navarro himself won the MVP award. Since then, the University of the East (UE) Red Warriors have dominated the men’s division, claiming the tournament’s last 11 titles.
UE has also controlled the women’s and juniors’ divisions, securing a quadruple championship after sweeping all four divisions starting in Season 82. After the pandemic, the Red Warriors extended that streak through Seasons 85 and 86 before the UST Lady Fencers snapped it by winning their first title last year.
In the boys’ division, the UST Junior Tiger Fencers will aim to improve on last year’s runner-up finish after ending their Season 87 campaign with twin silver medals alongside the girls’ squad. UE has captured the last 13 titles dating back to Season 73.
The boys’ team will include Ranzel Aberilla, Rayne Maravilla, Lamar Fernandez and Hanz Dela Pena in the foil event. The saber lineup will feature Eilrahc Sendico, Julian Dayro, Antonio Baydid and Eyce Olarte, while Reynaldo De Guzman, John Malinao, Nathaniel Bernal, and Ian Miranda will compete in epee.
With the men’s division expected to be more competitive, particularly with UE and UP also in contention, Navarro emphasized that the team’s mentality across all three weapons will be critical to its campaign. Season 88 will also feature PAREF Southridge School as a guest team.
“Sa men’s, wag lang magpapabaya ‘yong mga bata,” he said. “Medyo mahirap lang kasi tatlong weapon siya. Ngayon, ‘yong tatlong weapon kasi, iba-iba ‘yong mga malakas.”
“‘Yon ‘yong magiging chance namin na makuha [‘yong podium finish], na maghiwalay-hiwalay ‘yong medals. ‘Yon ‘yong malaking chance na kailangan lang namin i-secure [para] kami ‘yong malakas na team,” he added.
The Season 88 fencing tournaments will be held from March 13 to 16 at the Makati Coliseum.
