By Julia Mangmang

Back in March 2020, the Philippine government announced strict quarantine restrictions to avoid the spread of COVID-19. What most people thought would be two weeks of isolation has now turned into three years of wearing masks and social distancing. Along with working and studying from home also came the cancellation of UAAP Season 82. Now, after almost two years without it, the high school division of the UAAP is back and better than ever.

Although fans saw little to no live sporting action in the past years, sports never disappeared from the lives of the athletes. A good example of that would be the Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS)’s Fencing Team. Led by Captain Toby Cabrera, the squad is currently preparing for their UAAP competition. 

According to Cabrera, in a normal set up, the team usually starts training for a new tournament immediately after each UAAP season. This, however, changed in 2020 when the pandemic forced everyone to stay at home. Eventually, Coach Edward Vivas Daliva set up an online training system for the team. This contained a range of warm-up and strengthening exercises to “keep [their] stamina and resilience on the field.”

He also shared that once lockdown restrictions were lifted, the team also went to Ormoc, Leyte for a bubble camp—a secluded area where all coaches, trainers, and athletes from different schools around the country have tested negative for COVID-19. These two to three-week-long camps would start with jogs at five in the morning, sparring, and stunts throughout the day. Competitions were also held within the camp.

In addition, tournaments abroad also became a part of their preparation for the incoming UAAP season. In fact, Cabrera competed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from January 5 to 14, placing tenth out of 52 and nabbing the team event gold in the under-20 juniors’ division. The team also took bronze in the seniors’ category. He revealed that to him, competing was “a good experience of performing under pressure…”. As they knew they had a good shot at winning the juniors’ event, they hope to replicate the same success in the UAAP.

Despite the recognition and the wins, the team captain revealed that preparation for tournaments takes forever—while students may already be studying at home, the team still goes to the Pasig City Sports Complex to train until ten in the evening. Only after this training can they actually sit down to work on their requirements and study for quizzes. “Being an athlete entails discipline and determination,” Cabrera stated. 

When asked about his feelings going into the season, the Grade 12 student admitted that he was both excited and nervous. “Excited because after the long wait and practice, all the things we have worked hard for will be put into use,” he said. Meanwhile, he’s nervous because of fencing’s uncertainty. Despite his trust in his skills, the outcome of each game is always unpredictable. Still, he, along with the team, hopes to make the school proud of them as they are all working hard and doing their best. “… I am just hoping for the best, train hard, and leave it up to God,” he closed.

Although the team appreciates cheers and the students’ attendance during their games, Cabrera emphasized that they value the mere fact that the community believes in the team. The ASHS students may support the boys’ fencing team this UAAP season from February 23 to 27.