By NIKOLE JAVIER
Alexa Larrazabal outlasted Claire Dinoy in all-Filipino quarterfinal showdown, 15-12, on the way to winning a bronze medal in the women’s epee of the Southeast Asian Fencing Federation Championships in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Friday, Jan. 6.
Larrazabal’s thrilling victory over Dinoy enabled her to book a place in the semis but she lost to Vietnam’s Thi Hong Vu.
Larrazabal, who took an opening round bye, finished tied for third with Vietnamese Huyen Trang Pham who succumbed to eventual champion Anthea Foong of Singapore.
Meanwhile, Hanniel Abbella fell short in her bid for a podium finish despite an impressive start that saw her beat Malaysians Xin Mynn Ho and Bee Hui Goh one after another. She finished sixth overall.
Princess Arbilon wound up 7th in her event.
Noelito Jose Jr. and Wilhelmina Lozada had earlier captured gold medals in the senior men’s epee and senior women’s foil, respectively.