BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPS. National University skipper Allyssa Mae Bornia (left) hits a forehand return during the women's doubles final of the 40th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open Tennis Championships in Paco, Manila on Saturday (Dec. 2, 2023). Bornia and Shaira Rivera beat No. 2 seeds Rovie Baulate and Elsie Abarquez, 6-4, 6-3, to retain their title. (PCA photo)
MANILA – Top seeds Shaira Hope Rivera and Allyssa Mae Bornia pulled off a 6-4, 6-3 victory over No. 2 seeds Rovie Baulate and Elsie Abarquez to keep the women's doubles title in the 40th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open Tennis Championships in Paco, Manila on Saturday.
One of their motivations to retain their crown is to avenge their loss to the same duo during the Metro Manila Open held in May.
"We're happy to win again," the 24-year-old Cebu native Bornia said in an interview. "When we trailed 1-3 in the second set, I told Shaira to hold on since we already won the first and we have to finish strong."
Last year, they beat siblings Mica Ella and Kaye Emana, 6-3, 6-4, in the final.
In the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, however, Bornia and the losing duo are teammates in the National University.
Meanwhile, No. 1 Rivera and Elbert Anasta defeated No. 2 Bornia and Ronard Joven, 7-5, 6-2, to secure the mixed doubles title
In the men's doubles final, Bryan Saarenas and Hawaii-based Andre Ilagan outplayed Joven and Johnny Arcilla, 7-6 (7-4), 3-6, 10-8
The men's and women's singles final will be played on Sunday.
The men's champion will receive PHP300,000 while PHP100,000 will go to the women's champion. (PNA)
