Rise Above the Rest: Inside the Lady Fencers’ Drive for Season 86
When the De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Fencers’ pre-season photoshoot was wrapping up, the team posed for a few group photos. Among the fierce looks and goofy smiles, one particularly ‘wacky’ shot stood out — one of team captain Cyrra Vergara being carried by the rest of her teammates.
Afterward, the team wanted their male counterparts to join them for an even bigger group photo. “Faster!” Vergara said urgently, leading the fencers to scurry in front of the camera. From this, it was clear that she was not just a leader of one category of the team, but that she held the respect of the entire fencing team.
Vergara’s record from last season was decorated on its own, taking on the role of Co-Captain last season while also garnering a silver medal in the Epee category. She did this alongside Krupa Kaya Ednilag, John Shane Neri, and Justine Silverio.
However, as one of the underdog teams in the UAAP, the DLSU Lady Fencers are determined to put up a fight like no other, and hopefully take the gold to Taft.
A Season of Reflections
The sport of fencing is divided into three categories: Foil, Épee, and Saber, all differing based on the blades used. The first to hit corresponding areas based on the category — for Foil, shoulders and above, for Épee, the entire body, and for Saber, any area above the legs — wins.
According to Vergara, their biggest advantage as a team was how nobody else saw them coming: “Last season, hindi naman nila pinag-handaan ang La Salle. Hindi nila in-expect na may laban pala kami.”
It was still heart-wrenching to the team, though, that despite coming close to the top spot, they faltered ever so slightly — taking home a silver for their team as their highest achievement.
“Mas masakit ‘pag alam mong nandun ka na eh.” Vergara reflected, talking candidly about the difference between how bronze and silver medals felt — she stated, that when you attain bronze, you’re happy you even got to medal, but with silver, you feel as if you lost the most.
Still, Season 85 showed the Lady Fencers that they could brush shoulders with giants and even overcome them, as they battled it out against stronger and more complete teams.
Despite their belief in themselves and optimism for the season, the team is nevertheless aware of the adversities that they have to go through together.
One of their main setbacks is the lack of team members across categories in the female team. “Kulang talaga kami,” Vergara noted, giving their Foil team as an example. Ideally, the Foil category would have four fencers, but the team only has two who specialize in that aspect, leading to Vergara having to take on Foil individually and in the team category.
No ‘I’ in Team
When asked about how it felt to be Captain this season, Vergara shared that she feels like she has a lot on her plate when it comes to managing the team while also managing the goals they set for themselves. Still, she is keen to do the best she can to support her team.
“Last year, rookie year ko, Co-Captain din ako noon. Hindi ko in-expect na mag-memedal ako. Pero inisip ko na kung kaya ko, kaya rin ng lahat ng teammates ko.”
As team captain, she also emphasizes the fact that everyone in her team is equal. Even if a lot of them are beginners or just starting, Vergara aims to instill the same respect and belief among all of the Lady Fencers, whether it be in highs or lows.
“Ayokong sabihin ng mga nanunuod na ‘kaya lang sila nag-medal kasi teammate nila si Ate Cyrra.’ Gusto ko pantay-pantay kaming lahat.”
The team’s bond is a strong foundation to build their goals on, as they hold monthly team meetings to check on and further align with one another.
Onwards and Upwards
There are no particular teams that the Lady Fencers are singling out for rivalries, but they are driven to beat all of them since that is indeed what champions should be able to do. “Feeling ko, lahat sila kailangan kong makaharap para maging champion. Hindi lang individually, but for the team din.”
When asked what she was most excited about this season, Vergara answered that she was looking forward to everything that the season had to bring. Above all, though, she looks forward to seeing her teammates who will be competing at the UAAP and collegiate level for the first time, gain confidence and rise in their ranks.
“Sila talaga ang future. Sila ang aangat ng DLSU fencing.”
Indeed, the present and the future are looking bright for the Lady Fencers, and it is clear that this is just the beginning for them.
“Siguro yung pinaka-best na motivator namin is yung nangyari last season. Actually, kung iisipin mo, yung silver yung pinakatalo sa lahat. Feeling ko yung eagerness, gigil, and passion sa game — yun yung motivation namin, na babawi kami.” Vergara concluded on a determined note when asked about what the team’s biggest motivation for the season.
Support the DLSU Lady Fencers as they embark on their UAAP Season 86 campaign this Thursday, March 14 to March 17 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Their match schedules are as follows:
March 14, 9 AM — Women’s Foil Individual
March 15, 9 AM — Women’s Epee Individual
March 15, 1 PM — Women’s Saber Individual
March 16, 9 AM — Women’s Foil Team
March 17, 9 AM — Women’s Epee Team
March 17, 1 PM — Women’s Saber Team
