By: Kristoffer Ed Bellen
MANILA--The 2019 Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open has once again seen familiar faces hoist its men's and women's singles trophy as Filipino tennis living legend Johnny Arcilla and the country's current number one player Marian Capadocia ruled the annual tennis tournament at the indoor shell courts of PCA in Plaza Dilao, Paco, Sunday.
Arcilla, 39, nabbed his record ninth PCA Open men's singles trophy after dismantling second seed and national team player Jurence Mendoza in three hard-fought sets, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, while Capadocia successfully defended her title after only dropping a single game against a much younger eight seeded Jennila Rose Prulla, 6-1, 6-0.
Arcilla and Capadocia will take home P150,000 and P75,000 prize money, respectively.
The national tennis team veteran, Arcilla, secured his title after exacting revenge to top seed and defending champion Jeson Patrombon at the semifinals, 7-6(8), 7-5, before finally overcoming Mendoza in over two hours of intense championship battle.
“Maganda ang gising ko at relaxed yung palo ko. Basta hindi ko expected na makakarating ako sa final," said Arcilla who has nothing but praises to Mendoza after the game.
“Maganda naman ang palo niya. Hindi ko nga alam bakit gumanda din palo ko. Alam ko din kasi saan ang weakness niya," he added.
Meanwhile, Capadocia, bagged her seventh PCA Open title and her second straight since coming back last year.
“I’m very happy because I won another title again. It is a humble honor that I played finals again and congratulations to Prulla because she reached the final round,” said Capadocia, who will leave for Malaysia next week as part of her preparation for the 30th SEA Games next month.
The 14-year-old Prulla, who together with Alex Eala and Alexa Joy Milliam composed the team that placed fifth in the World Juniors Championships in Czech Republic early this year upset seeded veterans Clarice Patrimonio and Shaira Hope Rivera in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, to reach the final.
Arcilla and Capadocia, furthermore, ended the blockbuster championship Sunday with one more title each as they clinched the men's and women's doubles titles along with their respective partners.
Arcilla and Ronard Joven defeated Eric Olivarez Jr and Albert Lim Jr., 2-6, 6-2(8), while Capadocia and Rivera beat Faye Dizon and Tracy Llamas, 6-3, 6-3.
Follow him on Twitter: @KristoffBellen.
.JPG)
.jpg)
