University of the East ruled the women’s division in the UAAP Season 88 fencing tournament on Monday (March 16, 2026) night at the Makati Coliseum. Queenie Dalmacio (4th from right) earned her fourth MVP title. (UAAP photo)
University of the East stamped its class once again on the strip, capturing two more gold medals on Monday night to clinch the women’s overall title in the UAAP Season 88 fencing tournament at the Makati Coliseum.
The Lady Warriors delivered in the biggest moments, edging De La Salle University, 44-40, in the team epee final before outlasting University of Santo Tomas, 46-42, in the team sabre final to seal their dominance in the division.
For UE veteran Queenie Dalmacio, the triumph was both a celebration and a farewell. The graduating standout capped her collegiate run on a high note, helping power the Lady Warriors back to the top while also securing her fourth Most Valuable Player award.
“It’s both happy and sad; happy because we got the championship back, but sad because it’s my last,” said Dalmacio after defeating Kim Shaznee Tuy in their sabre duel. “I hope that in the next seasons, my teammates don’t let go of this championship that we won.”
Even as UE ruled the women’s division, the school had to settle for second place in the girls’ category behind UST. Still, Dalmacio expressed confidence that the next wave of Warriors can restore order there as well.
“They should still train; they shouldn’t give up. They shouldn’t let the championship go away again,” she said. “I feel sorry for the girls, but I know they can get it back. Just fight.”
UST, however, made history of its own in the girls’ division, with Lia Gillana leading the charge in a 45-39 victory over UE in the sabre team final. Gillana, who helped steer the breakthrough campaign along with MVP Opao Cantantan, admitted the long grind behind the title made the moment even more emotional.
“I felt overwhelmed, because all my hard work and effort paid off. Sometimes I even travel two hours after school, and back home, I’m doing my assignments. It was very hectic,” said Gillana.
The landmark victory left the young Tigresses soaking in the reality of a championship they had never won before.
“It still hadn’t sunk in; it still feels unreal, even though we already have the trophy,” Gillana added.
UE’s latest success came on the heels of its foil gold-medal victories last Sunday, which also propelled the school to the top of the men’s and boys’ divisions. In all, the Recto-based squad walked away with three division titles, a fitting sendoff for long-time program head Amat Canlas in his final season with the Warriors.
“They should take care of the dynasty we started because this is not something that can be done lightly,” said Canlas, who also serves as national team coach. “We started from nothing, the roots of UE are deep, and this is not something that can be done lightly as a champion.”
“From me until the present, our dynasty has continued. So when I leave, whoever replaces me, they should just continue,” he added.
Meanwhile, the University of the Philippines placed runner-up in the women’s division with a three-gold, one-silver, two-bronze haul, with Nana Carbonell accounting for two gold medals in foil. UST finished third with two silvers and two bronzes, while La Salle wound up fourth with two silvers and one bronze.
In the men’s division, La Salle placed second with a 1-2-3 tally, followed by UP at 1-2-2. UE also finished second in the girls’ category with a 3-1-3 record, while Ateneo reached the podium for the first time after collecting one silver and four bronze medals.
In the boys’ division, guest team PAREF Southridge secured runner-up honors with a 1-0-2 slate, while De La Salle Zobel placed third at 1-0-1.
