(From Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Byline: JP Abcede
THE MAGIC NUMBER WAS FIVE going into the last day, and the Philippines reached that target by ruling the men's team foil at the close of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games fencing competition yesterday at the San Juan Gymnasium.
The Philippines prevailed, 45-37, over Vietnam in the finals and retained the overall title with a haul of five golds, two silvers, and six bronzes, its most productive output since the 1993 SEA Games. They improved on their 4-4-1 tally in the Vietnam SEA Games.
Thailand placed second with a 3-5-4 gold-silver-bronze record, and Vietnam was third with 2-4-7.
The Filipinos turned back Thailand in the men's team foil semis, 45-38, as Ramil Endriano recovered from his bronze-medal performance in the men's individual foil by scoring the last four hits against Nontapat Panchan in the final round. In one instance, Endriano caught the Thai in the air in an offensive gem that received a thundering response from the crowd.
Indonesia got the bronze in men's team foil.
Nevertheless, the Thais gave the Filipinos a scare earlier in the day after taking the men's sabre finals, 45-40, as RP anchor Walbert Mendoza failed to overcome a 36-40 deficit against Wiradesch Kothny.
"If the team wins, four guys are happy. If you win alone, it's only you who is happy," the Thai Olympian said.
Vietnam and Indonesia took the two bronze medals in men's team sabre.
Singapore won its first gold medal in the event after taking the women's team foil competition by overcoming Vietnam, 44-40.
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Note: This originally appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
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