Arcilla keeps PCA reign, sweeps Reyes

MANILA, Philippines - Johnny Arcilla kept his reign in the Philippine Columbian Association Open intact, capturing his third straight men’s singles title and a record eighth overall with a 6-1, 7-5, 6-2 triumph over Marc Reyes before a packed PCA courts yesterday.

Arcilla banked on his experience to get the better of the exchanges with the younger Reyes, seizing a 4-0 lead in the opening set which he used as a springboard for another title conquest worth P100,000.

“Buti nakuha ko ang magandang laro ko, tapos nadaan sa gulang (I got my game going and took advantage of my experience),” said the 33-year-old Arcilla.

Like Arcilla, Marian Jade Capadocia extended her reign in the distaff side, tripping No. 2 Clarice Patrimonio, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4 in the women’s singles finals.

The 18-year-old Capadocia thus matched the streaks of three-peat winners Sarah Rafael (1986-88) and Maricris Fernandez (1994-96) and stayed on course for the four-peat of Jennifer Saret (1989-92).

It was actually a twinkill for both Capadocia and Arcilla. Capadocia and sister Jella Jade copped the women’s doubles tiara via a 6-1, 6-3 drubbing of Nicole Eugenio and Sarah Jane Lim Saturday while Arcilla and Kyle Dandan ruled the men’s play over Leander Lazaro and Ronard Joven, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-2.

The straight set win, however, belied the struggle Arcilla encountered against Italy-born Reyes, 24.

“Talagang pinagpaguran ko ang mga puntos, ang hirap kumuha ng puntos (He made me work for the points),” he said. “Nag-improve siya, panay ang training tapos bata pa. Pag siya nagko-control, nahihirapan ako kaya kailangan ako nagdidikta para makuha puntos (He improved a lot, not to mention younger. I had to make sure I dictate the rallies to win points).”

Capadocia actually flirted with disaster before snaring her triple crown.

After breezing by Patrimonio in the first set, Capadocia got too overeager in the second, yielding five straight games to allow her rival to force the deciding third.

She trailed in the decider, 3-4, but fought back, holding serve in the eighth game to tie it then breaking an erratic Patrimonio to get to 5 and finally finishing the taller opponent off.

“Noong nag 4-3, sinabi ko sa sarili ko,kailangan ko lang lumaban, hindi pa naman tapos yan (It’s not over yet at that point so I just willed myself to fight back),” said Capadocia after the win worth P50,000.