By: Waylon Galvez
It’s no secret that over the past decade in the UAAP, the University of the East fencing team has consistently been a powerhouse — often the top pick to sweep all four championships in dominant fashion.
Even after missing out on one of the coveted titles last year, the belief that the Red Warriors remain the heavy favorites has not changed.
“I think it’s because of the fact that most of the UE fencers – former and current – have played or are now national team members,” said Shawn “Kulai” Felipe, who has donned the national team colors in various international competitions, including the Southeast Asian Games here in 2019, in Cambodia in 2023, and in Thailand last year.
“That’s the program of the UE fencing team, for its fencers to always aim higher, be a member of the national team,” added Felipe, the reigning three-time MVP in the men’s division of UAAP fencing and a fourth-year student-athlete of the Recto-based school taking up psychology.
The UAAP fencing meet is set from March 13 to 16, with competitions starting at 9 a.m. daily at the Makati Coliseum. The individual categories will be contested on Friday and Saturday, while the team events are scheduled on Sunday and Monday.
While having “national team” credentials on a fencer’s résumé is certainly an advantage in the UAAP, it also comes with pressure.
That was the case for UE’s sabre “queen,” Queenie Dalmacio, who captured the women’s individual title last season but fell short in the team event when UE lost in the finals, 45-43, to the University of Santo Tomas — the eventual women’s overall champion. The loss ended Dalmacio’s bid for a fourth straight women’s MVP award and denied the Red Warriors a fourth consecutive women’s team title.
According to Dalmacio, that setback now serves as motivation for her and her sabre teammates Angel Beltran and Adrianne Lising.
“There is always pressure but I’ve learned not to think about it. I know I’ve worked hard. We’re motivated. Together with my teammates we want to get that team saber title back, and the women’s overall title back to UE,” said Dalmacio, who is on her fifth and final eligibility season with the Red Warriors.
Since former national team member and UE star fencer Rolando “Amat” Canlas Jr. became the head coach of the school’s fencing team in 2004, the Red Warriors have produced numerous Philippine team members.
These include current national team players Nat Perez, Sammuel Tranquilan, Lee Ergina, CJ Concepcion, and Jylyn Nicanor, as well as Samantha Catantan, who competed with the junior team before moving to the United States in 2020 and is now on her final season at Penn State University.
“Once you enter the UE fencing team, we want our fencers to always aspire and aim for a higher goal and that is to serve the country, make the national team. That has always been the goal for our fencers,” said Canlas, whose team recently held its traditional mass service at the UE chapel officiated by Fr. Lindale Inocando, OATH.
Overall, the UE women’s team will be eyeing its 17th title. Determined to achieve that championship are former national team players Andrea Matias and Jaymi de los Santos, along with Iya Schofield for team epee, while Alyzabeth Gilbert and Leila Vizcayno will lead the foil squad.
As for the men’s team, Felipe and company will try to extend their dominance with a 12th straight championship and 19th overall title. He will be joined by fellow foil players Robert Cabaero and Philippine team member Louis Shoemaker, while the epee team will continue to rely on veteran and former national team member RJ Perez, along with Ramil Encelan and Von Gale. Philippine team members Khiane Felipe and Anthony Concepcion, together with Charles Babatio, complete the sabre squad.
In the high school division, the Red Warriors remain the team to beat in both the boys’ and girls’ categories. National team member and three-time girls’ MVP Sophia Catantan leads the foil squad, while two-time MVP James Lim anchors the boys’ foil team.
The boys’ team will also feature Grade 12 fencer Brynt Gale, along with debuting foilists Matteo Canlas and Rainier Cadiente. The boys’ epee squad includes Grade 12 standout Ruzel Gallano and Don Geronimo, while the sabre team will have freshmen Marco Palmado and Hans Capricho.
For the girls’ team, Willa Galvez, Yuna Canlas, and newcomers Eia Mendoza and Christine Morales will see action in foil. The sabre team will feature Kirsten Catantan, Nicol Canlas, Ryona Salvante, and rookie Celyne Palmado, while the epee squad will include Nina Canlas, Mika Ragot, Irish Manaois, and rookie Jickle Ong.
The UE boys’ team is aiming for its 15th straight overall championship since the category was introduced in Season 72 in 2009, while the girls’ team is targeting its 13th consecutive title since its debut in Season 74 in 2011.
Expected to give UE a tough fight in both the men’s and women’s divisions are the Ateneo Blue Eagles, powered by national team member Kaikaku dela Serna; the University of the Philippines, led by former UAAP gold medalist Nana Carbonel; De La Salle University; and UST, which will unfortunately be without reigning MVP Ysah Catantan and epee gold medalist Alexa Larrazabal for Season 88.
In the juniors division, UST will welcome former UE standout Aubrey Fernandez as she boosts the team’s gold medal campaign, while Ateneo will rely on Hannah Belarmino and La Salle Zobel will lean heavily on Mimay Bacay as Miyake Capina is expected to miss the tournament due to a knee injury.
This season, the UAAP has also approved the participation of PAREF Southridge School in Alabang, which will compete in the boys’ category.
Already a champion in high school baseball, the Admirals’ fencing team is expected to contend for gold in foil with Lucas Palafox, Elijan Timbol, and Pico Montano, as well as in epee led by Enrico Fuentes.
