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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Capadocia, Diwa steal the spotlight in Palawan Open

Capadocia, Diwa steal the spotlight in Palawan Open

Published May 26, 2026 01:01 pm

At A Glance

  • The 30-year-old veteran, coming off a dominant opening-round 6-1, 6-1 win against wild card Judy Ann Padilla, utilized tactical brilliance and superior court coverage to outmaneuver her younger opponent in the blistering summer heat. With the victory, Capadocia cements her status as the tournament's most dangerous threat, standing as one of the two unranked players to reach the Last 8 phase.
Marian Capadocia
Marian Capadocia
Ten-time PCA Open champion Marian Capadocia proved that pedigree outweighs rankings on Tuesday, dismantling eighth seed Althea Ong, 6-2, 6-3, to secure a quarterfinal berth in the Palawan Open 2026 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
The 30-year-old veteran, coming off a dominant opening-round 6-1, 6-1 win against wild card Judy Ann Padilla, utilized tactical brilliance and superior court coverage to outmaneuver her younger opponent in the blistering summer heat. With the victory, Capadocia cements her status as the tournament's most dangerous threat, standing as one of the two unranked players to reach the Last 8 phase.
However, a tough test awaits the veteran campaigner. To keep her dream run alive, she must hurdle second seed Stefi Aludo in a marquee quarterfinal matchup in the P2 million tournament.
Aludo, who dominated Princess Tana, 6-0, 6-0, before securing a walkover win over Mica Emana, enters the showdown fully rested and highly motivated to halt the veteran's charge.
Sharing the spotlight in the women's division is La Salle’s Annika Diwa, who annexed a stunning early surge of her own. After upending third seed Tiffany Nocos in a thrilling opener, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, Diwa maintained her momentum by turning back Joanna Peña, 6-3, 6-4, to crash the quarterfinal party. She now awaits the winner of the ongoing duel between Louraine Jallorina and Akshita Antil.
Elsewhere in the women's draw, top-seeded favorites held their ground despite the oppressive conditions.
Top seed Tennielle Madis blanked Althea Azores, then ripped Mikaela Vicencio, 6-0, 6-1, setting up a blockbuster centercourt showdown against No. 5 Elizabeth Abarquez, who cruised past Ava Banson, 6-0, 6-0, and Dyan Nataño, 6-2, 6-3.
No. 4 Kaye-Ann Emana blasted past Amygray Olalo, 6-1, 6-0, before advancing past Rovie Baulete via 6-1, 3-0(ret.) score. She will next collide with No. 7 Niña Alcala, who survived a grueling duel against a determined Paula Uy, winning 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(7).
In the men’s division, the tournament's fancied names coasted into the Round of 16 with commanding performances.
No. 1 Digvijay Singh of India swamped Jeremiah Latorre, 6-1, 6-0, arranging a clash with No. 13 Jarell Edangga, who fought off Mark Alcoseba, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4; while second seed AJ Lim eased past Mcleen Gomera, 6-1, 6-2, setting up a faceoff with No. 14 Loucas Fernandez, a 6-2, 3-1 (ret.) winner over Elvin Geluz.
Third ranked Eric Jed Olivarez overcame early struggles to foil Brysl Libao, 7-5, 6-2. He will face qualifier Lucas Go, who outlasted Hilbert San Jose, 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(3); while No. 4 Christopher Papa of the US repelled Eric Tangub, 6-3, 6-3, booking a date with No. 14 Lance Fernandez.
No. 5 Parth Aggarwal, also of India, advanced with a 7-5 (ret.) win over Noel Damian to book a high-stakes duel with No. 9 Arthur Pantino, who shut down Miguel Iglupas, 6-0, 6-0.
Also advancing into the next round of this tournament, sponsored by the Palawan Group of Companies and sanctioned by Philta and the Universal Tennis Rating, are John Kendrick Bona, Vicente Anasta, John Benedict Aguilar, Ronard Joven, Nilo Ledama, and Casey Alcantara.
The heat did little to slow down the powerhouse pairings in the doubles events.
In the men's doubles, top seeds Alcantara and Papa trounced John Baje and Marc Suson, 6-2, 6-2, earning a matchup against Chauncy Aguanta and Kian Sanchez. Meanwhile, India’s second-seeded duo of Singh and Aggarwal drubbed Marben Mosquer and Ronald Roces, 6-2, 6-1, to set up a clash with Tangub and Richard Bautista.
In the women's doubles side, the tandem of Madis and Aludo advanced seamlessly via a walkover win against Kolin Cornell and Shara Paliwag, while the sibling duo of Kaye-Ann and Mica Emana dominated Kiana de Asis and Francine Dizon, 6-2, 6-0.

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