By Rey C. Lachica As a student-athlete, Marian Capadocia was a class act as she courageously climbed her way up the ladder of success despite the trials she encountered along the way. After finishing her studies, Marian Capadocia now has all the time to make a longtime dream come true. (Photo from Marian Capadocia's Facebook account) Notwithstanding her stormy relationships with some sports officials in the past, Capadocia has lorded over the local tennis circuit for almost a decade now, ensuring that her place in the pantheon of Filipino tennis greats is almost certain. But what makes her special is that she was able to finish her studies at Arellano University while still at the top of her game. Too bad her dream to join her school’s graduation rites last April was shattered by the coronavirus pandemic that sent shockwaves of fear and anxiety across the globe. “Super excited po sana for that pero health is very important so walang graduation rites,” said Capadocia in a phone interview Friday. The fact that Capadocia was able to complete her Sports Management course despite her busy schedule – bouncing from one country to another in search for ITF (International Tennis Federation) points – made her more determined to win more plaudits not only for herself and her family but also for the country. “After all the hard work and sacrifice, I was able to finish my course,” said Capadocia, fresh from a 6-kilometer jog inside their subdivision in Gen. Trias City, Cavite. Capadocia rued the virus outbreak as she failed to train as hard as she can due to health and safety protocols enforced by the government. “May tennis court po dito malapit so amin so di naman masyadong problema sa pagpalo,” said Capadocia who will go down in tennis history as among the finest of her generation, having won the prestigious PCA (Philippine Columbian Association) Open seven times. She’s the winningest female netter in the PCA so far aside from being one of the youngest winners of the event when at the age of 16 she stunned the big guns on the way to winning her first major title. In claiming her seventh PCA title last year, she dropped only a set in routing younger opponent Jennila Rose Prulla in the final 6-1, 6-0. Capadocia also missed seeing action in the Cainta and Makati Opens which also fell victims to the coronavirus rampage. She was fancied to win both events penciled last March and May, respectively. But it was no big deal for Capadocia saying the safety of all players as well as officials and fans is more important than the thrill and fame of winning (prizes for winning are not so big in the country as compared to the US and Europe). That’s the reason why she’s backing the move of Philippine Tennis Association not to sanction any tournament or events related to the sport until a vaccine is produced. Headed by lawyer Antonio Cablitas, Philta announced two days back that it will not allow any tournament this year in line with the protocols imposed by government as well as of the Asian Tennis Federation and International Tennis Federation. And though COVID-19 has ruined the early part of her schedule this year, including another stint in Amsterdam, Capadocia is not losing hope of fulfilling her ultimate dream of one day playing in a Grand Slam event. Having come true in her promise to finish her studies, Capadocia, just 24, now has all the time in the world to chase her dream.