TRUE TO FORM. Top seed Marian Capadocia makes a forehand return to Jeannie Ross Barcia during the second round of the women's singles in the 40th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open at the indoor shell courts in Plaza Dilao, Paco, Manila on Wednesday (Nov. 29, 2023). Capadocia won, 6-3, 6-2, to reach the quarterfinal round. (PCA photo)
MANILA – Marian Capadocia defeated Jeannie Ross Barcia, 6-3, 6-2, to reach the women's singles quarterfinal of the 40th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open tennis tournament in Plaza Dilao, Paco, Manila on Wednesday.
The top-ranked Capadocia is eyeing an eighth title in the women's division offering PHP100,000 to the champion. She lost to Jenaila Rose Prulla in the final last year.
Capadocia's next opponent is No. 6 Miles Vitaliano, who scored a 6-4, 6-2 victory over qualifier Jessica Carcueva.
No. 2 Alexa Joy Milliam of La Carlota, Negros Occidental and unseeded Theniel Madis also earned seats in the next round of the tournament sponsored by Gimaca Hotel and Boutique.
Milliam, who won the Rina Cañiza Women’s Open last February, clobbered Bea Gomez, 6-2, 6-0, to arrange a quarterfinal showdown with Jufe Ann Cocoy, a 6-2, 6-2 winner over Angeline Alcala.
The 15-year-old Madis from M'lang town in North Cotabato, on the other hand, eliminated No. 3 Alexie Santos, 6-3, 6-0, to advance against Elizabeth Abarquez, who pulled off a 6-2, 6-1 win over Shaira Hope Rivera.
No. 7 Tiffany Nocos likewise advanced, beating Althea Faye Ong, 6-2, 6-0, to forge a quarterfinal meeting with Rachel Velez, who conquered Danna Marielle Abad, 6-4, 7-5.
In the men's division, No. 2 Alberto Lim Jr. outclassed qualifier John Renest, 6-0, 6-1, to reach the quarterfinal round of the PHP1.7-million event supported by Mayor Ben-Sayeed Muksan (Siasi, Sulu), Manila District 3 Councilor Ernesto "Jong" Isip, Jr., Mary Grace Foods, W.L. Foods, Legalas Trading, FC Home Center, East West Customs Brokerage and Asiatraders Corp., the exclusive distributor of Dunlop ball.
Other winners were No. 5 Andre Ilagan, No. 6 Noel Damian, Nilo Ledama, John Benedict Aguilar and wild card Xavier Calvelo. (PNA)
