Filipino fencers, led by Noelito Jose Jr., settled for two silvers and two bronze medals at the end of the team competitions of the ongoing Southeast Asian Fencing Federation Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Members of the national squad had podium finishes in the men’s team epee, the women’s team foil, women’s team epee and the men’s team sabre events.
Jose scored two wins and a draw for Team Philippines as they repulsed Indonesia, 45-32, in semifinals of the team epee.
But the Filipinos took a 42-45 setback in the battle for the gold medal with Vietnam to settle for the silver.
The tournament gave Filipino fencers an idea how tough the opposition will be in the coming Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, as many of their rivals in the biennial meet are competing.
Vietnam, which won the team silver in the biennial meet the last time, drew crucial points from Nguyen Phoc Dec with his 5-3 triumph over Jose.
Earlier, Jose led the Philippines’ effort against Indonesia with a 5-3 subduing of Ody Tasmara and a 5-2 beating of Anggie Williamsah.
The Philippines banked on a crucial triumph posted by Alexa Larrazabal to get past Indonesia, 45-41, the women’s team epee semifinals.
Larrazabal’s 5-1 stopping of Indonesia’s Niehlah Rohadatul, put the Filipinas against Vietnam in the finals, where the Philippines settled for another silver following a 24-36 loss.
SEA Games medallist Vu Thi Hong and Nguyen Oanh turned back Princess Abilon on separate occasions to help hand Vietnam the team triumph.
Filipino fencers, with Andre Agatep and Thomas Cabrera leading the way, also took the bronze medal in the team’s men’s sabre.