In a display of technical precision and strategic composure, the UP Fencing Team (UPFT) asserted their dominance on the pistes of the Makati Coliseum, carving out a historic performance in the UAAP Season 88 Fencing Championships.
The Diliman-based squad signaled their intent early in the women’s individual foil, where Marina “Nana” Carbonell and Mariel Flores turned the gold medal match into an all-maroon affair. Carbonell, a veteran of the national training pool, moved with clinical efficiency throughout the direct eliminations. After a 15–5 dismantling of UST’s Ruby Kate Sardenia in the table of 8, she utilized superior point control to secure another 15–5 victory over UE rookie Alyzabeth Gilbert in the semifinals. In the final bout against Flores, Carbonell’s mastery of distance and timing allowed her to hit the targets repeatedly, finishing the bout 15–5 to reclaim the women’s foil crown.
The momentum shifted to the epee events, where the UPFT proved they were the new standard-bearers of the weapon. Rookie Jennina Mendoza staged a spectacular run in the women’s individual epee. After navigating a grueling pool stage, Mendoza executed a series of high-stakes parry-ripostes to edge out DLSU’s Krupskaya Ednilag and UE’s Andrea Matias with identical 15–13 scores. In the final against La Salle’s Cyrra Vergara, Mendoza maintained her focus through the final period, landing the decisive touché to secure a 15–12 win and the gold.
On the men’s side, Calix Ho ensured the individual epee title remained in Diliman. The 18-year-old rookie showcased nerves of steel, overcoming a late-game deficit against UST’s Adam Putian in the semifinals. Trailing 14–13, Ho stayed patient on the retreat before launching a perfectly timed fleche to force a 15–14 victory. In the gold medal bout against La Salle’s Edan Ensamtan, Ho’s active footwork and lightning-quick extensions frustrated his opponent, leading to a 15–12 triumph. The podium finish was bolstered by teammate John Dexter Ramos, who earned a bronze, further solidifying UP’s presence in the weapon.
The UPFT’s gold rush reached its peak in the team events, where the women’s foil quartet reaffirmed their status as the “queens of the piste”. The UPFT continued to dominate in Women’s Foil as this time around, they clinched gold as a team through the collective efforts of Carbonell, Flores, Bea Fajardo, and Team Captain Nami Noro. With Carbonell leading the charge, the team executed a disciplined game plan, utilizing aggressive attacks and tight defensive parries to outclass the competition and retain their team title.
The UPFT’s’ depth was further highlighted in the team events, where UP fencers fought their way to the podium across multiple weapons. In a display of tactical versatility, the Men’s Epee team composed of Ho, Ramos, Lorenzo Malvar, and Meynard Buentipo secured a hard-fought silver, showcasing seamless rotations and gritty defense. They were joined in the silver column by the Men’s Foil team of Daniel Karlo Canlas, Keon Gener, Jonathan Ramos, and Dustin Tan, who pushed their opponents to the limit with high-speed exchanges and precise blade work.
Adding to the tally, the Women’s Epee team featuring Mendoza, Noro, Julianna Ballesteros, and Margaret Tapales clinched a bronze medal through strategic patience and effective counter-attacks. Not to be outdone, the Women’s Saber team—composed of Noro, Angela Dayro, Mary Mallari, and Ailana Louise Sison—slashed through the brackets to secure another bronze, proving UP’s competitive edge extends across all three fencing disciplines.
The tournament concluded with individual brilliance meeting collective success. For his clutch performances and golden debut, Calix Ho was rightfully named the UAAP Season 88 Rookie of the Year. This individual accolade served as the cherry on top for the program, as the UP Fencing Women’s Team was officially declared the 1st runner-up and the Men’s Team 2nd runner-up in the general championship standings.
With a haul that includes four golds and a presence in nearly every podium category, the UPFT has firmly established itself as a powerhouse. As the fencing season concludes, our fencers leave the Makati Coliseum with a clear message: the future of Philippine fencing has a distinct shade of maroon.