University of the Philippines maintained its top spot in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Women’s Fencing Championships as rookie Jennina Mendoza delivered the squad’s second gold medal, defeating De La Salle University’s Cyrra Vergara, 15–12, in the epee final on Saturday at the Makati Coliseum.
Mendoza found her rhythm in the third round, denying Vergara a shot at the gold and echoing the back-to-back victories of national team member and former Fighting Maroon Juliana Gomez in Seasons 85 and 86.
The 21-year-old had to navigate tight contests in the direct eliminations after finishing sixth in the pool stage. Mendoza edged past DLSU’s Krupskaya Ednilag, 15–13, before stunning University of the East’s Andrea Matias with the same scoreline.
“Kanina ang inisip ko lang po is ‘yung tiwala sa’kin ng mga tao: ng mga magulang ko, ng mga coaches ko, ng mga kaibigan ko. Laban lang. Actually naiiyak na nga ko kanina every point,” said the transferee from Rizal Technological University.
“Masaya po ako na nakuha ko ‘to, but more on relief po kasi naibalik ko sa mga tumulong sa’kin. Lahat ng binigay nila sa’kin, binigay ko rin sa kanila,” Mendoza added.
The bronzes went to the UE Lady Warriors once again, mirroring yesterday’s foil event, as Matias and Jaymi Delos Santos both finished third.
Meanwhile, UE and the University of Santo Tomas finally broke through with their first golds in the high school divisions.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Reigning Boys’ MVP James Lim secured his first title after a 15–10 win over teammate Brynt Gale in the foil individual final, giving the Junior Warriors a 1–2 finish.
“Pinaghandaan po namin ‘to and masaya po ako na nakabawi kami today na gold and silver po kami ni Brynt. Inexpect din po kasi namin ‘to kasi gano’n rin po ‘yung expectation sa ‘min ng coaches,” said the 16-year-old standout, who is also part of the juniors national team.
“Naniwala lang po kami sa coaches namin and sa sarili po namin na kaya po naming lumaban. Tiwala rin po kami sa mga techniques na pinag-aralan po namin for this season.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the girls’ division, Lia Gillana defended her title by claiming the Junior Female Fencers’ first gold with a 15–14 victory over sparring partner Kathleen Tuy in the sabre individual final.
“I’m very proud that I did again what I did last year. Ayun, nakaka-overwhelm lang kasi I did my best,” said the junior national team upstart.
“At first medyo na-pressure kami, pero inisip na hindi, laban lang, kaya pa ‘yan. And lahat naman sila naniniwala sa ‘kin, so because of that I believed in myself, too.”
UST’s Ranzel Aberilla and Ateneo de Manila University’s Derek Perez took bronze in boys’ foil, while UE’s Opao Cantantan and Nicol Canlas added two bronzes in girls’ sabre.
The final three individual competitions — men’s foil, women’s sabre, and girls’ epee — are taking place as of publishing.
