Reigning Most Valuable Players Nicollei Felipe and Queenie Dalmacio delivered strong performances to lift University of the East into the overall lead after the individual events of the UAAP Season 87 Fencing Championships, Tuesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Malate, Manila.
Felipe, who earlier missed out on the epee gold, made sure to deliver in his weapon of choice. He completed a comeback victory over fellow Red Warrior Robert Cabaero, 15-12, in the men’s foil gold medal match.
“Sobrang happy po kasi kahit paano nakahinga na kami nang maluwag-luwag. Pero hindi pa kami kampante na dahil leading na kami, kami na magcha-champion. May team events pa, at alam ko naman po na gagawin rin mga teammates naming ‘yung part nila,” said the 20-year-old national team standout.
A bronze medalist in team foil at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, Felipe dominated the competition with convincing wins over Ateneo de Manila University’s Andre Agatep, 15-5; and De La Salle University’s Reindelle Lacerna, 15-6, before outlasting his training partner Cabaero for the title.
“Importante po talaga (na makuha naming ‘tong foil). Kahapon pa po kami kinausap ni Coach Amat (Canlas) na no mercy po talaga. Kahit friends naming ‘yung nasa ibang teams, competition po ‘yung pinunta naming, so competition po dapat i-expect ng ibang teams sa amin,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In the women’s sabre final, Dalmacio held off a late rally by University of Santo Tomas’ Krystal Tuy to claim a 15-11 win and secure UE’s first gold on the women’s side — ending UST’s early dominance of the individual events.
The 24-year-old senior, who helped the Lady Warriors snap University of the Philippines’ streak last season, proved once again why she’s the reigning MVP and a SEA Games silver medalist.
“May pressure po pero ang nasa utak ko na lang is huwag kong isipin ‘yon. Kunwari wala na lang ring nangyari, and then ilalaban ko na lang. Parang si God na ang bahala, no matter what. Parang i-a-accept ko kung anong ibibigay sa ‘kin pero may hope pa rin for me na like last year, bakit hindi ko kunin pa rin,” said Dalmacio.
“Inisip ko na lang talaga lahat ng sacrifices ko kasi lahat ng ginawa ko may sukli rin ‘to, may kapalit rin ‘to. So, sinabi ko talaga na may kapalit rin ‘to, parang, akin ‘to,” added Dalmacio, who is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Administration.
Completing the podium in the final individual events of the collegiate division were Lacerna and UP’s Dustin Tan in the men’s foil, and UST’s Kim Tuy and Ateneo’s Kaku Dela Serna in the women’s sabre.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Capping off a dramatic day was Ateneo’s Hannah Belarmino, who made history by winning the girls’ program’s first-ever UAAP gold medal. She stunned UE’s Nina Canlas in a 14-13 overtime thriller to take the epee crown.
The victory pushed the Blue Eagles into the top three of the girls’ division, overtaking De La Salle Zobel’s 0-1-3 tally. Belarmino’s earlier 11-9 semifinal win over foil bronze medalist Martina Baccay also proved pivotal in Ateneo’s surge.
UE still retained the overall lead in the girls’ division with a 1-1-3 tally, boosted by Canlas’ silver finish. UST, which led in the morning, dropped to second with a 1-1-0 card.
“Sobrang naiyak po ako kanina as this is not my weapon; so medyo na-surprise po talaga ako. I played in three events na po and this is the first medal I got in UAAP, and I had so much pressure po. This means a lot to me,” said the 17-year-old first-year Blue Eagle, who specializes in foil.
“I did so badly during my first day, and I cried a lot after that. Despite that, I did my best to show up today, and kahit na hindi ko siya weapon, binuhos ko talaga lahat today. Kita naman po na in Ateneo, fencing is not that known po. So, hopefully, it will inspire other people, not just in my sport po, but in other sports po na hindi gano’n kakilala — na they can also do well,” Belarmino added.
