Jenaila Rose Prulla pulled off a shocker when she upset seven-time champion Marian Jade Capadocia, 6-3, 7-6 (3), to clinch the PCA Open Championships women’s singles crown at the Plaza Dilao indoor shell court on Sunday.
In the men’s singles event, Johnny Arcilla went through the wringer before taking down former ATP No. 160 Guillermo Olaso of Spain, 7-5, 1-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, to clinch his 10th title.
Prulla, the 17-year-old rising star from San Jose del Monte in Bulacan, displayed incredible grit topped with newfound prowess to pull off her first victory over the fancied Capadocia, who beat her in the PCA Open final three years ago.
Making the victory very sweet was the fact that Prulla displayed her physical superiority in taking down the 27-year-old Capadocia, who fell to cramps in the second set tiebreaker that doomed her chances to defend her title.
“First and foremost, I improved my fitness so I could have more power and I also had more confidence and courage now compared to the last time when we played,” Prulla said.
“I didn’t feel scared because a lot of people inspired me.”
For her feat, Prulla will become part of the club’s history as one if its champions while pocketing the top purse worth P100,000.
Meanwhile, Capadocia consoled herself with a P50,000 runner-up purse with the hope of regaining her old place at the pedestal and getting another crack at a record eight championship.
But for now, it will be Prulla who earned the right to bask in glory and build a dynasty of her own.
After dropping the first set and trailing, 4-3, in the second, Capadocia fought back and even came a point away from claiming the set and forcing deciding third set where anything can happen.
But Prulla refused to allow it.
In the tiebreaker, Capadocia was up, 3-1, but again, Prulla struck back and knotted it at 3-3.
The beginning of the end came when Capadocia’s forehand return went awry and hit the net that gave Prulla a 4-3 lead.
Worse, the two-time Southeast Asian Games bronze medal winner fell as her right leg started stiffening, resulting to her being slapped with a warning first and eventually a point penalty for delay of match.
