REIGNING titlist Marian Jade Capadocia bolstered her chances to claim her fourth crown in the women’s singles division of the 33rd Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and Metro Global Holdings with a 7-5, 6-4 squeaker against sixth seed Marinel Rudas on Saturday at the PCA indoor courts in Paco, Manila.
“Nung first set, power game ’yung ginawa ko kaya marami akong unforced errors. Palo lang ako ng palo kaya nakadikit siya. Binago ko yung style sa latter part ng first set, ibinabalik ko lang bola niya, mas naging patient ako,” admitted the 19-year-old Capadocia, who needed two hours to dispose of Rudas.
The only one standing in Capadocia’s way was fourth-pick Maika Tanpoco who clinched the other finals seat at the expense of No. 5 Hannah Espinosa with a blazing 6-1, 6-0 victory.
“Alam ko na 100 percent ang larong ibibigay ni Maika kaya tatapatan ko lang kung anong game ang ilalaro niya. Gusto kong i-extend yung reign ko dito hanggang sa kaya ko,” Capadocia said.
Capadocia and Tanpoco will have their showdown at 11 a.m. today, followed by the duel between defending champ Johnny Arcilla and No. 1 pick Patrick John Tierro for the men’s single crown in the tournament supported by Dunlop, Fujidenzo/Whirlpool, Babolat, Hon. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, Head, Accel, Malate Bayview Mansion, Coca-Cola Bottlers Phils. Inc., Philippine Prudential Life Insurance Co. Inc. and Seno Hardware.
Battling it out for the men’s doubles title are the formidable tandem of Arcilla and Kyle Joshua Dandan against Johnny’s younger sibling Joseph and Kim Saraza, while the Capadocia sisters—Marian Jade and Jella—will face the power duo of Rudas and Edilyn Balanga for the ladies’ doubles crown.