As the second half of the UAAP Season 75 kicks off in the days to come, the Green and Lady Fencers are now focusing on sharpening their sabres for the gold.
Finishing at fourth and concluding without recognition in UAAP Season 74, the Green Fencers has prepared for action, as the team looks to bounce back from an upset due to last season’s performance.
While lady counterpart, Lady Fencers, returns to the stage with season 74 Rookie of the Year, Nadine Licono, as the team aims to push onward towards the goal after falling as bridesmaids to the UE Lady Warriors in the last season.
Under the spotlight
Fencing is probably one of the less popular sports in the UAAP since the tournament has become synonymous to basketball and volleyball events. Fencing, however, does play a crucial role, just like other sports, to universities that are the General Championship title given to the university that has accumulated the highest number of points from the different sports events.
DLSU’s womens fencing team has battled its way to a 1-2-3 gold-silver-bronze haul fashioned finish last season. The charge led by season 74 top rookie Nadine Licono, the Taft-based fencers proved to be one of stronger contenders to compete in the Fencing field.
The men’s team’s rankings in the past two seasons, however, have been disappointing for most of its members. The team has already experienced concluding a season at the bottom, which has pushed the members to train harder for UAAP 75. The Green Fencers look to bounce back and redeem the team this year, and prove to their opponents that the DLSU’s mens fencing team is no pushover.
Forward to the next season
For the upcoming UAAP Fencing competitions, the team has made no changes to its prior roster, and would still have the same training regimes this year.
The lineup this season would also have no key additions as the squad decided to stick to its key returnees this year. The Lady and Green Fencers are ready to face the new season ahead. Both squads are aiming for a first place finish, a dream for any athlete playing in the event.
“This season will be a battle. We cannot be lax against our opponents because they’re good and talented athletes, which make it a challenge for us to get the gold.” said Green Fencer Dan Rebuyas.
The fencing team also wants to popularize the sport within the school campus and the tournament.
“Despite the lesser support given to us compared to other teams, we use this as the motivation to continue playing and carry the name of La Salle during competitions.” Rebuyas added.
Coach Gian Carlo Nocom is set to lead the squad again this season. He believes that the team has a big chance this year, and despite being the underdogs for a long time, he believes that the game would always be decided by the player who wants the win more.
As for the General Championship bout, a ranked finished at the end of the tournament would help clinch the said feat.
