FINALIST. Second seed Alberto Lim Jr. makes a forehand return to No. 6 Nilo Damian in the men's singles semifinal of the 40th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open at the indoor shell court in Plaza Dilao, Paco, Manila on Friday (Dec. 1, 2023). Lim won, 6-3, 6-0, to reach the final. (Photo courtesy of PCA)
MANILA – Second seed Alberto Lim Jr. defeated No. 6 Nilo Damian, 6-3, 6-0 in the men's singles semifinal of the 40th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open at the indoor shell court in Plaza Dilao, Paco, Manila on Friday.
Lim, back from a two-year hiatus, will meet unranked Filipino-American Andre Ilagan in the final on Sunday.
Ilagan, born in Hawaii to Filipino parents from General Santos City, pulled off a 6-4, 7-5 victory over wild card Xavier Calvelo, another Filipino-American residing in Las Vegas.
"I'm excited, looking forward to the final. I'll do my best," said the 24-year-old Lim, a former member of the Philippine Davis Cup team. He led the University of the East to back-to-back titles in the UAAP.
Ilagan, 23, has played two USD15,000 ITF events before coming to Manila. He won in Hua Hin, Thailand (Nov. 6-12) and was a runner-up in Kuching, Malaysia (Nov. 13-19).
Meanwhile, top seed Marian Capadocia downed No. 7 Tiffany Nocos of Cebu, 6-4, 6-1, to arrange a title showdown with unseeded Theniel Madis in the women’s division.
The 15-year-old Madis from M'lang town in North Cotabato stunned No. 2 Alexa Joy Milliam of La Carlota, Negros Occidental, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1, in the other semifinal match of the tournament sponsored by Gimaca Hotel and Boutique.
The seven-time champion Capadocia reached last year's final but lost to teenager Jenaila Rose Prulla.
In the men's doubles, top seeds Ilagan and Bryan Saarenas beat No. 12 Elvin Joseph Geluz and Loucas Fernandez, 7-5, 6-2 to advance in the semifinal against No. 16 Fritz Verdad and Rolly John Saga, who prevailed over qualifiers Brent Cortez and Nash Agustines, 6-3, 6-0.
Third seeds Johnny Arcilla and Ronard Joven also made it to the Final Four after hacking out a 6-4, 6-4 win over No. 7 Eric Olivarez and Joshua Kinaadman.
Arcilla and Joven will face Jeremiah Latorre and Abson Alejandre, who eliminated second seeds Damian and Vince Albert Anasta, 6-4, 7-6(6).
The men's singles champion will receive PHP300,000 while PHP100,000 will go to the women's singles champion in the 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. (PNA)
