Zoleta, Rogan pocket PCA Open women’s doubles title

WINNERS. Fourth seeds Bambi Zoleta (second from right) and Aileen Rogan (right) shake hands with top seeds Clarice (left) and Cristine Patrimonio after the women’s doubles final in the 37th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open Tennis Championships at the PCA indoor shell court in Paco, Manila on Saturday (December 8, 2018). Zoleta and Rogan won, 2-6, 6-4, 10-8. (PNA photo by Jess Escaros)

MANILA – Fourth seeds Bambi Zoleta and Aileen Rogan downed top seeds Cristine and Clarice Patrimonio, 2-6, 6-4, 10-8, to capture the women’s doubles title in the 37th Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open Tennis Championships at the PCA indoor shell court in Paco on Saturday.

Playing in their fourth tournament this year, Zoleta and Rogan fought back to take the second set and maintained their composure in the super tie-break set en route to victory.

“We did not expect to win because they (Patrimonio siblings) are playing well in the first set. It’s a good thing that we were able to level up in the second set and outplayed them in the tie-breaker,” said the 26-year-old Zoleta, a former national player who now works at the sports and recreation department of Shang-rila Hotel at the Fort.

Rogan, who serves as coach of Brent International School in Mamplasan,Binan, Laguna, described her partnership with Zoleta as perfect.

Meanwhile, top seeds Francis Casey Alcantara and Jose Antonio Tria won the men’s doubles title after posting a 7-6 (4), 5-7, 10-8 victory over second seeds Johnny Arcilla and Ronald Joven.

“It was tough match and we’re happy to win,” said the Alcantara, who is now No. 257 in the world’s doubles rankings.

“I am also happy that my partner is an upcoming junior player and I hope that I will be able to help him improve his game,” said Alcantara, who teamed up with Tria for the first time.

Alcantara, who saw action in the Asian Games last August, has just returned to the country. He was away for almost two months, competing in Thailand and Vietnam.