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Arcilla, Capadocia top PCA tennis tilt
Johnny Arcilla and Marian Jade Capadocia ruled the men’s and women’s singles tournament of the 30th Philippine Columbian Association Open Tennis Championships at the PCA indoor courts in Paco, Manila.
Arcilla regained supremacy in his favorite event, defeating upstart junior netter Jurence Mendoza, 6-1, 6-0, 6-4, in the men’s event to claim the P100,000 top prize.
Capadocia, meanwhile, bucked a first-set loss as the second-seed defeated top-ranked Anna Clarice Patrimonio, 2-6, 6-0, 6-3, to take the women’s crown and the P50,000 top purse.
Knowing the caliber of his opponent, the 31-year-old Arcilla came into the match aggressively and never gave Mendoza a chance to pull an upset. The 15-year-old Mendoza had stunned second-seed Elbert Anasta earlier in the tournament.
“Inunahan ko agad siya para hindi na tumagal pa yung laban,” said Arcilla. “Mahirap kalaban ang bata dahil mataas ang endurance.”
Arcilla has won the prestigious event five times, first in 2001 and then from 2006 until 2009, before relinquishing the crown last year to Marc Sieber.
The 16-year-old Capadocia showed resiliency after the first-set loss showing her true form the rest of the way.
“Kulang ako sa warm up kaya kinapa ko muna ang strategy niya. Pinatakbo ko lang siya ng pinatakbo sa second set dahil alam kong madali siyang mapagod,” said Capadocia, a member of the 2011 women’s team that won a bronze medal in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games along with her opponent Patrimonio and Denise Dy.
Meanwhile, Arcilla and Patrick John Tierro annexed the double crown beating Anasta and Ronard Joven, 6-4, 6-2.
Patrimonio bounced back in the doubles as she and Tamitha Nguyen beat Louise Lopez and Aileen Rogan, 6-1, 6-1.
