Patrimonio outlasts Rudas for title
CLARICE Patrimonio underscored her status as the country’s No. 1 player by turning back Marinel Rudas, 3-6, 6-4, 6-4, yesterday to capture the ladies’ singles title in the Olivarez-Philta Open tennis championships presented by Palawan Pawnshop Express Pera Padala at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque.
The 18-year-old Patrimonio used her vast experience to down Rudas, who easily took the first set and led 4-2 in the second set, before the daughter of PBA great Alvin raised her game to win the next four games and force a deciding set.
Patrimonio, a member of the national team that won a bronze medal in the Southeast Asian Games last year, chased every shot by the second-seeded Rudas in the third set. She gained a vital break in the ninth game.
“It was a tough win,” said the other half of the Patrimonio sisters. “She fought very hard but in the end I was able to get the breaks I needed.”
Clarice, whose sister Christine tumbled in the semifinals, prevailed in close to four hours over Rudas, 17, who belongs to the Tennis Academy of the Philippines stable that includes Jeson Patrombon, Fil-Italian Marc Reyes and Alberto Lim Jr.
It was actually a golden double for Patrimonio in the tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop Express Pera Padala and Strong-hold Insurance with Dunlop as official ball.
Clarice and Aileen Rogan earlier clinched the ladies’ doubles crown with a 6-1, 6-4 win overt Rudas and Maika Jae Tanpoco.
Meanwhile, former Davis Cup teammates Patrick John Tierro and Elbert Anasta were still locked in battle for the men’s singles title at presstime.
Tierro was also gunning for a double after teaming up with Johnny Arcilla in trouncing Francis Casey Alcantara and Pablo Olivarez II, 6-3, 6-2, for the men’s doubles championship.
The men’s collegiate title went to National University-A, which nosed out Perpetual Help.
