University of the Philippines dominated the women’s individual foil, producing a 1-2 finish as Nana Carbonell bested teammate Mariel Flores, 15–5, in an all-Fighting Maroons final to claim the first gold of the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Fencing Championships on Friday at the Makati Coliseum.
The Season 86 winner and former national team pool member breezed through the competition. Carbonell defeated University of Santo Tomas’ Ruby Kate Sardenia, 15–5, in the quarterfinals and cruised past University of the East rookie Alyzabeth Gilbert with the same 15–5 score in the semifinals.
The Fighting Maroons now take an early lead in the women’s division, ahead of the Lady Warriors, who claimed both bronze medals through Gilbert and former three-time MVP Queen Dalmacio.
Reigning individual champion and MVP Allysah Catantan sat out the season to focus on her licensure exams, adding more pressure on Carbonell.
“Mas kinabahan nga ko kasi my biggest opponent other than her is myself. Parang, hearing the pressure from other people, nararamdaman ko rin siya; baka ma-disappoint ko sila ‘pag hindi ako makapag-perform ng well,” the now two-time foil champion shared.
“I just focused na lang on every point, and I just listened to my coaches. I just executed what we did in training,” Carbonell added.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the men’s division, Kurt Maruquez made his final UAAP stint count, delivering a second straight gold for De La Salle University in the sabre individual event.
After years of missing the podium with UST, Maruquez finally claimed his much-awaited gold following a 15–8 victory over UE’s Khiane Felipe in the final.
“I really prepared for this season, especially during my first two seasons with UST, I didn’t get a podium finish in the individuals. And this is my last season, so I really wanted to give it my all,” said the graduating senior.
“No regrets; it was all worth it. It is something I will cherish,” Maruquez added.
Last season’s champion, Christian Buenaventura, secured one of the bronzes for the Green Fencers, while Red Warriors’ Christian Anthony Concepcion shared third place.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Guest school PAREF Southridge School also made history as Enrico Fuentes captured its first-ever individual gold.
After previously collecting a bronze in swimming and a championship in baseball, Fuentes denied Junior Warriors’ Brynt Ember in the boys’ epee final, winning 15–9.
Ateneo’s Samuel Gatmaytan and Gabriel Bunagan claimed the two bronze medals in the event.
“I was really happy that I got the first-ever gold for Southridge. It is my last year, and I’m glad to have ended it with a bang,” Fuentes said. “I’m also happy that I had a great start, as I have set a standard for my teammates that they could also achieve great things.”
The individual competitions in men’s epee, girls’ foil, and boys’ sabre are still ongoing as of publishing.
