Manila - In a dominant display of skill, second seed Alberto Lim Jr. won the men's singles title at the 40th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open, held at the PCA's indoor shell court in Paco, Manila.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lim, returning from a two-year hiatus, defeated Hawaii-based Filipino Andre Ilagan with scores of 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 in a match that lasted two hours and 20 minutes. The 24-year-old former Philippine Davis Cup team member expressed gratitude for the victory and acknowledged his father, coach, teammates, sponsors, and supporters.
Ilagan, born in Hawaii to Filipino parents, showed resilience in the third set but ultimately succumbed to Lim, who secured the PHP300,000 champion's purse. Ilagan, 23, recently competed in two US$15,000 ITF events, achieving a win in Thailand and a runner-up position in Malaysia. In the women's singles final, top seed Marian Capadocia clinched her eighth PCA Open title by defeating unseeded Theniel Madis with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 victory, earning PHP150,000. Additionally, the men's doubles title was claimed by top seeds Ilagan and Bryan Saarenas, who overcame veterans Ronard Joven and Johnny Arcilla.
In other championship results, national player Shaira Hope Rivera achieved double success on Saturday. She defended the women's doubles title with Allyssa Mae Bornia, defeating Rovie Baulate and Elsie Abarquez, and also won the mixed doubles final with Elbert Anasta, beating Bornia and Joven.