COMING OFF a lackluster performance where the team ended up last in the previous season’s standings, the blue fencers are on the path to redemption–training doubletime and joining multiple preseason tournaments in preparation for Season 78. As Team Captain Simon Borja says, the squad is “all fired up to compete once again to prove they’re not a team to be looked down upon.”

The push for a better performance this year has not been a smooth ride, however. The team was bitten by the injury bug early in the year, with multiple players going down with severe injuries. Luckily, adding three rookies while only losing one graduating player has added much-needed depth to their pool of talent.

Supersenior Joao Celestino is looking to redeem himself after a disappointing Season 77 performance, where he failed to garner a medal. However, he will still be lending his veteran experience to the épée team as he works alongside rookies Coby Villanueva and Borja.

Luckily, adding three rookies while only losing one graduating player has added much-needed depth to their pool of talent.

Meanwhile, the foil team will be a game time decision as senior Derich Cabrera recently tore his anterior cruciate ligament and is racing against time to be fit for the tournament. Instead, the blue fencers will look towards junior Red Limjoco to lead them in Cabrera’s absence.

On the other hand, youth is the key word for the Blue Eagles as freshman Ethan Bennett leads a rookie-laden sabre team alongside former medalist Carl Delos Reyes, who last took home the gold two years ago.

With nowhere to go but up, the fencers from Katipunan will look to grab a solid finish in the upper half of the rankings as they aim to secure a podium finish at the very least.