When the UAAP Fencing Championships concluded last Monday at the Makati Coliseum, the University of the East once again claimed three gold trophies, asserting its dominance in a sport the program helped build from scratch.
While UE did not sweep the event for the second consecutive season, the Red Warriors remain the benchmark in UAAP fencing — a legacy shaped almost entirely by one man: Amatov Canlas.
Nearly two decades since UE stormed the fencing scene, the men’s squad extended its reign to 12 straight titles, while the women’s team secured its 16th championship. The girls’ team’s dynasty was trimmed to 11, but the boys’ unit stretched its league-leading streak to 14.
All of this is a testament to Canlas’s vision and relentless dedication.
Monday, however, marked Canlas’s last day — at least for now — as head coach and program head of UE Fencing. Emotions ran high as he reflected on the journey.
“Sabi ko lang na ituloy nila ‘yung dynasty na sinimulan namin dahil hindi lang naman basta-basta ‘to eh. We started from nothing, malalim ‘yung ugat nung UE. Hindi ito basta-basta champion lang. Talagang from sa’kin pa, hanggang sa ngayon, sa present, eh talagang natuloy ‘yung pagiging dynasty namin,” said the former Red Warrior standout.
“Sa pag-alis ko, kung sino man ‘yung mga papalit na coach sa’kin, ituloy lang nila. And ang sabi ko, maging loyal sila sa UE kasi hindi rin naman sila magiging magaling kung hindi dahil sa UE. Kumbaga, pinaghirapan sila. Hindi dumating nang magaling na eh; ginawa sila ng UE.”
For Canlas, the legacy extends beyond titles. He hopes the culture he built — discipline, respect, and dedication — continues to thrive even after his departure.
“Yung respeto at kung ano ‘yung sinimulan ng UE sa UAAP. Hindi pa naman ako nagsasabing tapos na ako; nag-try lang ako ng ibang opportunity. Malay natin ‘di ba,” he shared.
Canlas has nurtured these athletes from a very young age, some from as early as eight years old. He has guided them not just toward championships, but toward national and Olympic aspirations.
“Kita mo naman ‘tong mga ‘to; hindi ko lang naman tinuruan ‘to noong high school. Eight years old pa lang hawak ko na ‘yan. Talagang tinrain ko na ‘yan, at goal ko talaga is national team. Ang goal ko talaga ay makarating sa Olympics,” he said.
“Yan ang mindset ng mga players ko, especially ‘pag foil. Kaya kung makita mo buong-buo talaga sila.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Education has always been equally important to Canlas. He emphasizes discipline both on and off the piste, ensuring that talent is matched by responsibility.
“Tsaka nasa academics din ako. Bata pa lang talaga, tinuruan ko na kung paano ‘yung discipline, eh. Gano’n talaga ‘yung ano nila sa’kin: academics and discipline. Kaya nga ako naka-produce ng Olympian because of the discipline. Kaya dalawang dekada kaming nag-champion sa UE, because of the discipline na ini-impose ko sa team,” he said.
“Napaka-importante sa’kin ang academics at discipline, lalo na ‘pag makita kong malaki ‘yung potential ng bata. Kailangang i-guide siya nang tama. Kasi sayang ‘yung talent ‘pag hindi siya ginuide ng tama. Yun rin ang maganda sa UE — ‘pag nagkaproblema ‘yung bata, tinatawag agad sa’kin ng College Secretary, ng High School Principal. Kaya nga hindi kami nahihirapan sa mga national team namin, kasi gano’ng naka-support ‘yung UE management.”
Canlas will be taking his expertise and family to Australia, leaving behind a dynasty and a thriving support system. His decision, however, is rooted in family priorities rather than personal ambition.
“Well, kung ako lang naman ‘yung kinuha, hindi naman ako pupunta kung ako lang namang mag-isa. Kaya ko tinanggap ‘to kasi sinama ‘yung pamilya ko. Kumbaga, do’n ko nakita na para sa mga anak ko ‘to, para sa family ko ‘to. Kasi ba’t naman ako aalis, eh comfort zone ko ‘to? Ok naman ‘yung buhay ko dito,” said the future head of the Tizona Fencing Club in Melbourne.
“Pero nakita ko ‘yung opportunity para sa mga anak ko, sa family ko, na ‘pag pumunta ako do’n, kasama sila. Kaya susubok ako kasi ang hirap namang tanggihan, parang no-brainer ka naman, lalo pa’t Australia. Alam naman natin sa Australia; nakita naman natin ‘yung quality of life do’n. Why not, hindi natin subukan? Para sa future ng mga anak ko ‘to, hindi naman ‘to para sa akin.”
Beyond UE, Canlas has also shaped Philippine fencing at large, mentoring national athletes and fostering a new generation of coaches and referees.
“Sa PFA, nag-iisip talaga kami ng mga coaching seminar. Mag-iinvite kami ng mga magagaling na coaches from other countries na dadalhin rito, para continuous ‘yung learning ng coaches. Kung ako talaga, mas magpupundar ako sa coach,” Canlas shared.
“Kasi ‘yung coach, ‘pag may magaling na coach, at aral ‘yung coach, makaka-produce ng magagaling na fencer ‘yan. ‘Yun ang nakikita kong dapat gawin, makapag-produce ng maraming-maraming coach na magagaling … all weapons,” he went on.
“PFA ang makakapag-decide diyan kasi sila ‘yung body. Pero d’yan magsisimula ‘yan, magagaling na coach, at magagaling na referee. Number one ‘yan, coach and referee. Dapat mag-tandem ‘yan, para makapag-produce tayo ng Olympian. Kasi ‘pag mahina ‘yung quality, madami lang tayo. Kaya ‘yan ang pinakamahalaga diyan — ‘pag may mga ganyang opportunity, gagaling talaga ‘yung coach.”
Canlas leaves behind not just champions, but a culture, a discipline, and a standard that will continue to define UE fencing — and Philippine fencing — for years to come.
