MANILA — The University of the East is aiming to extend its dominance in collegiate fencing as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 88 fencing tournament opens Friday at the Makati Coliseum.
Leading the Red Warriors’ campaign is national team member Shawn Niccolei Felipe, who will spearhead the team’s push for a remarkable 13th consecutive championship.
Felipe, a three-time UAAP Most Valuable Player, attributed the team’s consistent success to the program’s strong connection with the national squad.
He noted that many of UE’s former and current fencers have represented the country, a system that encourages athletes to aim for international competition.
Felipe himself competed in the Southeast Asian Games in Manila in 2019, Cambodia in 2023, and Thailand in 2025.
Also strengthening the Red Warriors lineup are Felipe’s brother Kiane Felipe and national team standout Anthony Concepcion.
Several universities, however, are determined to challenge UE’s reign. De La Salle University will rely on sabre champion Christian Buenaventura, while the University of the Philippines will be led by John Dexter Ramos.
Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University fields Andre Agatep, and University of Santo Tomas will count on Adam Putian to boost its campaign.
In the women’s division, UE is banking on Queenie Dalmacio, another three-time MVP, to help regain the title from UST.
Dalmacio acknowledged the pressure of competing in her final season but said the team remains focused on reclaiming both the women’s sabre and overall titles for UE.
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UST’s lineup will be led by siblings Kim Tuy and Krystal Tuy, following the absence of last season’s MVP Allysah Catantan and Rookie of the Year Alexa Larrazabal.
For UP, Nana Carbonell, the Season 86 foil champion, will lead the team, while Kaku Dela Cerna and Cyrra Vergara will spearhead Ateneo and La Salle, respectively.
In the junior division, UE will look to Sophia Cantantan and James Lim to guide the girls’ and boys’ teams.
Guest squad PAREF Southridge School will field medal hopefuls Lucas Palafox in foil and Enrico Fuentes in epee.
