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 6-1, 6-1 opening-round win over 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 cemented her status as one of the tournament’s most dangerous threats, emerging as one of only two unranked players to reach the Last 8.
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 showdown in the P2 million tournament.
Aludo, who dominated Princess Tana, 6-0, 6-0, before advancing via walkover against Mica Emana, enters the showdown fully rested and highly motivated to halt Capadocia’s charge.
Sharing the spotlight in the women’s division is La Salle’s Annika Diwa, who continued her stunning run in the tournament. After upsetting third seed Tiffany Nocos in a thrilling opener, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, Diwa sustained her momentum by defeating Joanna Peña, 6-3, 6-4, to crash the quarterfinals. She now awaits the winner of the ongoing duel between Louraine Jallorina and Akshita Antil.
Elsewhere in the women’s draw, the top-seeded contenders held firm despite the oppressive conditions.
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Top seed Tennielle Madis blanked Althea Azores before routing Mikaela Vicencio, 6-0, 6-1, to arrange 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 over Rovie Baulete via a 6-1, 3-0(ret.) result. She will next face No. 7 Niña Alcala, who survived a grueling battle against a determined Paula Uy, prevailing 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, to arrange a clash with No. 13 Jarell Edangga, who outlasted Mark Alcoseba, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4. Meanwhile, second seed AJ Lim eased past Mcleen Gomera, 6-1, 6-2, to set 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). Meanwhile, No. 4 Christopher Papa of the United States 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 to the next round of the 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 likewise 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, to earn 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.
On the women’s doubles side, the tandem of Madis and Aludo advanced seamlessly via walkover 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.
