Aiming for the top is doable with the right training and resources. That will be no easy task as the UE Red Warriors continue their dominant run and clinched their sixth consecutive title, while the UE Lady Warriors conquered the competition for the eleventh straight year last season. With the gap closing, team captains David Lumahan and Divine Romero from the DLSU Fencing Teams are hoping to pierce the veil and force the reigning champions to relinquish their title.
Calm before the storm
Season 80 of the UAAP Fencing Tournament brought in great results from both fencing teams. Besting their subpar records from the seasons before that, both teams ended up winning second runner up while also garnering individual medals. Lumahan, Green Fencers team captain, shares his experience on a positive note. “We won the second runner up trophy for both [the] men’s and women’s team, and for me, personally, I won my first ever individual medal in the UAAP,” he fondly recalls.
Preparing for an important tournament is never easy, especially when the odds are stacked against your favor. The DLSU Fencing team shared a resounding disagreement with the decision to move the fencing tournament in the earlier semester as preparations and timetables will have to be revised. While physical training is important, Romero states that the team gets psychological evaluation with the school’s psychologist to deal with individual and team circumstances. Lumahan also stresses that the preparations had to be done right away in order for them to be back in playing form. “Parang namadali kami sa pag-prepare because last season yung fencing is really on the second semester. This season kasi nalipat yung fencing sa first semester, so for us parang nabigla kami on our training. We also have to improve agad especially sa mga mali namin last season.”
(We had to rush our preparations because fencing was originally scheduled on the second semester. They changed the schedule and rolled it back to the first semester, which is why we were caught off guard in our training system. We also have to quickly improve our mistakes
last season.)
The team saw the departure of two key members who contributed to the success of their run last season. Both Jianne Piguing and men’s team co-captain Won Suk Cho will step out of the limelight this season. While their exclusions are in effect, new blood are set to step in as the team recruited eleven rookies to bolster their
talented roster.
Reaching new heights
Expectations might not be met due to unforeseen circumstances. There is no doubt that each team would want to gain glory by winning both championships. With that in mind, the team is fixated on beating every opponent they face. Lumahan shares that last season’s victors are the main team to beat. “Actually, lahat ng schools this season is a team to beat. Pero ang kailangan talaga namin matalo is UE.”
(Actually, every school this season is a team to beat. But we really need to beat UE.)
Stemming from careful preparation, both team captains want to reach for the stars and best their previous records. “As of now, I am only expecting our team to get a higher ranking than we did last season. First runner-up was almost in our hands, but I am also looking forward to getting the championship for the team,” Romero shares. Likewise, Lumahan shares the same sentiments in chasing the championship, “My expectation for this season is umangat yung place namin from last year. Okay lang if first runner-up kami pero mas okay if magiging champion kami.”
(My expectation for this season is to beat our record from last year. It is fine if we settle for first runner-up but it is better if we become champions.)
Setting the tempo
A leader is someone who rallies the team to the right direction. Both captains display themselves as leaders who want to set a winning culture for the team. It is no joke that they have to face both internal and external pressure when they are in the playing field.
When asked about pressure, Lumahan shares that holding the title of captain is no easy task as expectations are stockpiled when he is playing. “I should be the role model of my team, so I think [I] should push more than anyone. Another thing is, this is my fourth playing year and I really want to give the team the championship trophy,” says Romero. Careful preparation and rigorous training will not stop until they reach their goal, but in due time, the DLSU Fencing team will face off against the best of
the best.
