Patrimonio, Iglupas seal PPS Pintaflores final duel

MANILA, Philippines - Top seed Clarice Patrimonio and No. 2 Khim Iglupas posted a pair of lopsided victories to arrange another title duel even as the men’s top seeds rolled into the semifinal round of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Pintaflores Festival Open at the Sacata Tennis Club in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental yesterday.

Patrimonio dropped just two games to ease out Chloe Mae Saraza, 6-2, 6-0, in the quarterfinal round then dominated No. 4 Shaira Hope Rivera, 6-0, 6-1, to cruise to the finals of the centerpiece event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Slazenger.

But Iglupas also turned in an impressive win, shutting out Erika Mae Manduriao, 6-0, 6-0, in the Last 8 then blasting third seed Hanna Espinosa, 6-2, 6-1, in the lower half of the 16-player draw featuring the country’s leading players.

This marks the third time that Patrimonio and Iglupas will slug it out for the crown in this year’s PPS-PEPP calendar. Iglupas swept Patrimonio in the Olivarez Cup finals but the latter struck back in the Tuna Festival Open and hacked out a three-set win.

Patrimonio broke Riviera right from the start then swept the next five games. Rivera, who beat Rachelle de Guzman, 6-1, 6-0, in the quarters, held serve in the second set but failed to neutralize Patrimonio’s power and superb all around game to yield the next five.

Iglupas also broke Espinosa in the opener then took three of the next four games before the latter broke the former in the sixth game. But Iglupas broke back in the seventh then held serve in the next to clinch the set.