Petecio barges into semis in Asian Boxing Tilt

WULANCHABU, China—Power-punching Nesthy Petecio, the lone survivor of a four-member  PLDT-ABAP boxing team in the ASBC Asian Women’s Championships here, decisioned an energetic Kawano Sana of Japan Monday to reach the semifinals at the ultra-modern Wulanchabu Sports Gymnasium.

The dusky Davao del Sur native skillfully dodged the flurry of punches by the Japanese and countered with  powerful right straights to win the quarterfinal bout.
“She’s a crafty fighter,” said Petecio of Sana, who at 19 is in her first international match as Japan’s national champion. “She has an unorthodox defensive style that I had to figure out so my shots would connect. We have to watch out for her in the coming years.

The 23-year-old is trying to redeem herself after narrowly losing the gold medal in the SEA Games in Singapore last year. She also settled for the silver in the Women’s World Championships in Jeju, Korea, last November.

Tuesday is rest day with the semifinal round to be held Wednesday where Petecio will suit up against Basumatary Pwilao of India. Pwilao +won a split decision over hometown favorite Liu Piaopiao of China earlier.

The other members of the PH team who bowed out in the second round were Josie Gabuco, Irish Magno and Riza Pasuit.