Sacrifices pay off for PH women’s epee team as the Nationals clinch gold

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Sat, 07 Dec 2019 09:30:11 +0000

BY WAYLON GALVEZ

The women’s fencing team of Harlene Raguin, Hanniel Abella, Anna Gabriella Estimada and Mickyle Rein Bustos claimed the gold medal following a 45-38 win against Singapore in epee event of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games Friday at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

HANNIEL Abella

Abella, the 26-year-old silver medal winner in the individual epee category, delivered the deciding points for the Philippines, which now has a total of two gold medals, two silvers and six bronzes.

The win also marked the first time for the epee team to capture the gold in the biennial meet.

“Ako sobrang memorable para sakin ito, kasi dapat magre-retire na ako,” said the 36-yea-old Raguin, whose first SEA Games stint was in 2003 Hanoi. “Pero pina-balik nila ako para tulungan yung team. This is a very good exit for me.”

“Sobrang saya, kasi nagbunga lahat ng sakripisyo namin,” said the 31-year-old Estimada. “Iba sa amin took a leave sa work, and then yung isa sa amin (Abella) nag-resign. She gave up on her dream job just to focus on fencing.”

The national team defeated Vietnam in the semifinals 44-33, while
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