THE UST Junior Lady Fencers captured their first-ever UAAP girls’ fencing championship, ending the University of the East’s (UE) 11-year reign by ruling UAAP Season 88 on Monday, March 16, at the Makati Coliseum.
UST’s triumph also marked the first time another team claimed the overall crown since the girls’ division debuted in Season 75.
The Junior Lady Fencers finished their campaign tied with UE with three gold medals but secured the title through the tiebreaker, earning three silvers and three bronzes compared with the Junior Warriors’ one silver and three bronzes.
In girls’ saber, Ma. Estelliah Gillana, Kathleen Tuy, Martina Manzalay and Bailey Olayres successfully defended their title in the event for the fourth straight year, defeating UE’s Sophia Catantan, Kirsten Catantan, Nicol Canlas and Celyna Palmado in the final, 45-39.
“Kinikilabutan pa ako na parang sa wakas, nakuha na din namin,” UST saber head coach Donnie Navarro told the Varsitarian. “Masaya rin kasi kami ‘yong naka-putol ng mahabang paghahari nila.”
“Palagi kaming kapos [dati] nang isang medal. Kumbaga, kaya naman naming putulin, napipigilan lang kasi walang may katulong.”
In the epee category, UST’s Marian Castro, Aubrey Fernandez, Althea Lopez and Chloe Raguin secured silver after falling to UE, 45-37.
Meanwhile, the boys’ team finished fifth this season with two silver and two bronze medals after placing as runners-up last year.
Ranzel Aberilla, Hanz Dela Pena, Lamar Fernandez, and Rayne Maravilla claimed silver after losing to UE’s Rainier Cadiente, Matteo Canlas, Brynt Gale, and James Lim in the boys’ epee final, 45-30.
In the seniors’ division, the UST Lady Fencers, who were champions last year, placed third this season with two silver and two bronze medals.
Lady Fencers Kim and Krystal Tuy, Kristel Chacon, and Ruby Sardenia fell to UE’s Queen Dalmacio, Shareen Beltran, Adreanne Lising, and Andrea Matias in the saber final, 45-43, settling for silver.
Krystal, Sardenia, Rodgelyn Raguin, and Dahlia Capuno later earned bronze in women’s epee after losing to UE, 45-29.
“This season, nage-expect pa rin naman kami ng hanggang runner-up lang talaga,” Navarro said of his women’s team. “Talagang ang hirap umakyat.”
In the men’s division, the Tiger Fencers finished fourth for the second straight year and missed the podium despite tallying one gold and four bronze medals.
Markke Abaygar, John Amores, Cedric Pasan and Jose Soyangco took bronze in men’s foil after dropping a tight semifinal bout against the University of the Philippines in overtime, 45-44.
Looking ahead, Navarro emphasized that strengthening the athletes’ mindset remains a priority to maintain the program’s progress, especially with the same core expected to return next year.
“Ang kailangan lang namin sigurong gawin is itanim sa puso at sa isip na kailangang tapangan, kailangang lakasan ang loob, kailangang ilaro mo nang maayos,” Navarro said.
“Kasi kung madadala sa pressure, sarili mo ‘yong kalaban mo. ‘Yong pinaghirapan natin, masasayang dahil sa pressure na yan.”
UST will miss the services of Abaygar and Amores in Season 89.
