TAIPEI — Marian Jade Capadocia provided the bright spot for Team Philippines with a dominant 6-0, 6-0 victory over Nepal's Kripa Sharma in the tennis competitions of the 29th Summer Universiade at the Taipei Tennis Center here Monday.
Capadocia, a former Philippine Columbian Association champion, who is coming off an impeccable title run in the Olivarez Cup, was all business in her game against the Nepalese, using two aces to immediately dictate the tone of her fight right in the first set en route to the emphatic win.
The real acid test for the Arellano Univesity standout, however, will come in the third round against Mexico's Victoria Rodriguez, who is the no. 2 seed in the Universiade, considered as the Olympics of student athletes.
Capadocia's schoolmate Wilmer Sabas, however, fell to Lucas Poullain of France, 6-0, 6-1, even as National University's Jeleardo Amazona bowed to Mexico's Alonso Delgado, 6-2, 6-1.
Team Philippines is backed by San Miguel Corp., Bestank and Garfield sportswear.
Meanwhile, world-class opposition finally caught up with Filipino archers at the National Taiwan Sport University Archery Range here.
University of Baguio standouts Chloe Balaoing and Shanaya Rose Dangla, together with Xena Hendra Chomapoy entered the Round of 24 Sunday night, but ran head straight against the world-class field.
Balaoing and Chomapoy, however, did not go down without a fight.
The UB standout initially was able to stand toe-to-toe against her Italian rival Loredana Spera, but later succumbed in a close 99-102 (2-6) decision.
On the other hand, Chomapoy also set the pace in her duel with Slovakia's Alexandra Longova, before yielding a 102-129 defeat (4-6).
Dangla fell to Moldova's Alexandra Mirca, 58-83 (0-6).
Balaoing, who will turn 19 on Aug. 28, will return to action in the mixed recurve team competitions.
