UAAP fencing: UST, UP threat to UE’s campaign
NEXT month, fencers from five schools take center stage as University of the East (UE) tries to extend its dominance in the UAAP Season 86 Fencing Championship at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Quadricentennial Pavilion in España, Manila.
During the previous season, the Red Warriors have retained title in all four categories, as the boys team won for the 11th straight time, while the girls and men’s extended their respective dominance for the ninth consecutive, and on the women’s side, it was back-to-back for UE.
This time, UE head coach Rolando “Amat” Canlas Jr. fully understands that his Warriors will be hard-pressed against other contenders from other weapons, like University of Santo Tomas in girls sabre and women’s foil, as well as men’s epee with the emerging University of the Philippines (UP).
The improvement of Dexter Ramos and Lorenzo Malvar will give the Maroons a fighting chance this season against UE’s RJ Perez, Aurell Obzunar and Ramil Encelan while the women’s foil of UST will continue to rely on reigning gold medal winner Ysah Catantan.
As for the Tigers’ sabre girl’s team, the squad will have the Tuy sisters in Krystal and Kathleen.
“We know that other teams have improved, so it’s not going to be an easy campaign … it’s going to be a tough one,” said Canlas.
Last year’s boy’s high school Rookie/ MVP James Lim will return with Louis Shoemaker and Brynt Gale and returning Frances Obzunar in foil, while the sabre team will continue to rely on Khiane
Felipe and now graduating high school fencers Charles Babatio and Anthony Concepcion, and the epee squad will have Von Gale teaming up with rookies Aljor Contado and Ruzel Gallano.
The girl’s team in foil will still have last season’s Rookie/MVP Sophia Catantan (member now of the national team), Aubrey Fernandez and Aly Gilbert, while rookie Willa Galvez — who settled with the silver medal in the Admirals after Poveda’s Hagia del Castillo won her first gold medal in U-12 category — is the only new members on the team.