With their sights firmly set on the top podium, the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Fencers enter the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 with a goal to turn last year’s lessons into a statement campaign. After finishing third overall in Season 87 with a medal haul of five — including one gold and four bronzes across all categories — Team Captain Edan Ensamtan says the squad is ready to push harder and mount a more formidable challenge this season.

Reflecting on the previous campaign, Ensamtan acknowledged that Season 87 exposed gaps the team needed to address.“In terms of performance, medyo lackluster siya compared to Season 86,” he observed. “But it also taught us a lot — it showed us which areas of training we needed to focus on more and what we could improve as a team.”

However, the challenges the Green Fencers faced went beyond skill or technique. Even with strong fundamentals, the team often struggled with the mental side of competition, as nerves and self-doubt would frequently surface during crucial moments. “The biggest challenge was more on mindset — yung kaba, yung doubts, yung mind blocks,” Ensamtan explained.

But now, with a new season ahead, the team sees this year as a chance to finally address these obstacles and demonstrate their growth. “Ngayon pa lang namin maipapakita kung paano namin matatalunan yung previous challenges,” he said.

Preparation for the upcoming season has been grounded in discipline and consistency, with the squad sticking to a structure that has long served as the team’s foundation: daily training on the strip and national competitions that test the athletes against top opponents. Alongside sharpening their skills, however, the Green Fencers have also focused on building team chemistry, a priority made even more important with several new rookies joining the roster.

For the newcomers, stepping onto the competitive stage means facing both the excitement of opportunity and the weight of expectation, as Rookie Inigo Cabredo admits that matching the level of more experienced teammates will be a challenge. “For my first season, I expect that there will be a lot of pressure,” he shared. “So I just want to be able to keep up and do my best out there during the match.”

Still, Cabredo believes that preparation will ultimately speak for itself. “You reap what you sow. If you practice, you’ll see the results during the match and competitions.”

Fellow rookies Kenji Vizcayno and Yanni Gollena share the same determination as they step into their first season. For Vizcayno, the year is a chance to prove what the team is capable of. “We still have something to prove, so we’ll just do our best,” he said. Gollena, meanwhile, hopes not only to contribute to the team’s medal haul but also to grow alongside his teammates.

Yet alongside the excitement comes the challenge of adjusting to the demands of competitive fencing and balancing life as a student-athlete. “Lalo na yung first sem ko kasi ibalance yung pagiging athlete. Nahihirapan talaga ako mag-adjust for the first two months,” Vizcayno admitted.

Gollena echoed the sentiment, highlighting the role of teamwork in easing that transition: “Mahirap talaga sa simula, pero we’re encouraging each other to fight for our school this season.”

Despite the adjustments that come with a developing roster, the Green Fencers remain anchored by a shared mindset — one rooted in resilience and uncompromising dedication. As Ensamtan explains, the team’s identity is built on pushing through even when the physical and mental demands of training become overwhelming. With a stronger emphasis on mental toughness, the team hopes to translate these lessons into results on the strip this season.

For Ensamtan, the Green Fencers’ ambitions heading into UAAP Season 88 are clear.

“Wag na natin maging sweet pa,” he voiced with a grin. “It’s gold — it’s championship.”

That determination reflects the mentality the squad hopes to carry throughout the campaign. When asked to summarize the team’s approach this season, Ensamtan distilled it into three words: Mindset, grit, power. Together, these values encapsulate what the Green Fencers aim to bring into every bout as they look to build on the lessons of Season 87.

As the UAAP fencing tournament approaches, the Green Fencers step onto the strip with renewed confidence and a clearer sense of purpose. Backed by a blend of experienced leadership and hungry rookies, the team hopes to translate months of preparation into a stronger showing this season.

For the Lasallian community rallying behind them, Ensamtan leaves a simple message: “Support us this upcoming UAAP Season 88, and antayan niyo kaming manalo.”