Arcilla, Capadocia gain PCA Open semis

Defending champions Johnny Arcilla and Marian Jade Capadocia thwarted their respective rivals to gain the semifinals of the men’s and women’s singles yesterday in the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open tennis championship presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and Global Holdings.

The eight-time champion Arcilla overcame a jittery start against 15-year-old Alberto Lim Jr., before fashioning out a 6-4, 6-0 triumph, while the “four-peat”-seeking Capadocia ousted Christine Patrimonio, 6-1, 6-4.

Arcilla, the 34-year-old master of the slippery PCA courts, admitted he was wary of Lim, who upset him during the Philippine National Games early this year. He advanced against No. 5 Rolando Ruel, who stunned No. 3 Elbert Anasta, 7-6 (7-3), 1-6, 7-5.

Top seed Patrick John Tierro dumped No. 7 seed Marc Alcoseba, 6-4, 6-0, and will next take on either Fil-Italian Marc Reyes or Ronard Joven.

Capadocia arranged a semifinal duel with Marinel Rudas, who eliminated Edilyn Balanga, 6-1, 6-4.

Patrimonio’s sister, second seed Clarice, also bowed out after a 7-6 (7-0), 2-6, 6-3 loss to No. 5 Hannah Grace Espinosa. Espinosa will next face Maika Tanpoco, who bested Jzash Eale Canja, 6-0, 6-1.