Patrimonio, Capadocia duel for PCA title

MANILA, Philippines - Clarice Patrimonio and Marian Capadocia pulled off a pair of hard-earned victories to arrange a showdown for the ladies singles crown in the 30th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open Tennis Championships at the PCA indoor shell clay court in Paco, Manila yesterday.

The top seeded Patrimonio bounced back from a second set setback to turn back No. 5 Tamitha Olivarez-Nguyen, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, while Capadocia survived Mariel Ante, 7-5, 6-4, in a pair of action-packed semis matches in the tournament presented by Cebuana Lhuillier.

“I couldn’t hit my shots as I got nervous in the second set and lost my focus,” said Patrimonio in Filipino. “But I played aggressive in the third set and I changed my game a bit to surprise her.”

This marks the first time Patrimonio is vying for the PCA Open crown after defending champion Desirae Krawcyzk foiled her bid in the semis last year.

“Marian also played an aggressive game. She has improved a lot,” said Patrimonio. “But it’s difficult to tell my chances in the finals but I’ll do my best.”

Capadocia, toughened up by a stint in the recent Hong Kong Open Junior Tennis Championships, hung tough to nip Ante in the first set then broke her rival once in the second to clinch the win.

The ladies singles finals is set at 11 a.m. today followed by the Johnny Arcilla-Jurence Mendoza showdown for the men’s singles title.

A total of P500,000 is up for grabs in the event backed by Alagang Cebuana Plus, Just Jewels, Le Soleil De Boracay, Phiten, Pera Padala, Babolat, Head, Dunlop, PVL Restaurant, Whirlpool, Coca-Cola, San Miguel, Lizardo Tennis Academy, Tennis Athletes Unlimited, Phil. Prudential Life Insurance Co., Inc., Gilmore and PLDT.

The men’s singles champion will receive P100,000 while the ladies’ winner will get P50,000.

In the juniors division, Maia Balce defeated Jenni Celine Dizon, 6-0, 6-3, to bag the crown in the girls’ 14-under, while Alexi Santos repulsed Chloe Saraza, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, for the girls’ 12-under title.