Petecio zaps fancied Indian, enters final

MANILA, Philippines - Nesthy Petecio dominated fancied Indian Basumatary Pwilao Wednesday to barge into the finals of the ASBC Asian Women’s Championships at the Wulanchabu Sports Gymnasium in Wulanchabu, China.

Ranged against a member of the powerhouse Indian team which sent six fighters into the semis, the lone PLDT-ABAP survivor flashed top form and displayed composure in foiling her highly regarded foe.

“She’s strong and I was at a disadvantage at close range so I fought her from a distance,” said the 23-year-old Petecio.

“I guess she also got a bit frustrated when I was able to score on my counterpunches,” she added. 

Towards the end of the fourth round, teammates Josie Gabuco, Irish Magno and Riza Pasuit cheered Petecio, who scored almost at will on right straights to the head as she suddenly switched from orthodox to southpaw stance, befuddling her opponent.

She won via unanimous decision.

The dusky native of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, who won silver in both the recent Singapore SEA Games and the Women’s World Championships in Jeju, Korea last November, will face Peamwilai Laopeam of Thailand for the gold medal Thursday.

The two have a 1-1 head-to-head record with the Thai edging her in the Palembang SEA Games in 2011 and the Filipina winning via decision in the China Open last year.