Capadocia, Tanpoco seal PCA women’s showdown

THREE-TIME champion Marian Jade Capadocia and fourth seed Maika Tanpoco arranged a women’s singles showdown yesterday in the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open tennis championship presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and Metro Global Holdings

Capadocia, trying to establish a dynasty in the 33-year-old tourney, encountered some tough opposition from hard-fighting Marinel Rudas but still managed to hack out a 7-5, 6-4 triumph in their semifinal clash.

Tanpoco, a former age-group sensation, breezed past Hannah Espinosa, 6-1, 6-0, in the other bout at PCA’s indoor shell-clay courts.

With her easy win, Tanpoco, who competes in the pro circuit, will have the advantage of fresh legs going into today’s final, although odds will still be stacked against her.

Capadocia said she’s ready for whatever game Tanpoco will bring.

“I want to extend my reign here for as long as I can,” said the 19-year-old Capadocia, who just came in from tournaments in Europe and acknowledged that the 20-year-old Rudas gave her a hard time.

The women’s finals is at 11 a.m. followed by the men’s singles championship between Johnny Arcilla and Patrick John Tierro.

A total of P600,000 cash prize will be given to the winners of the event.