Pantino gets big boost going into Malaysia netfest

CEBU, Philippines - Promising Cebuano netter Arthur Craig Pantino scored back-to-back victories in two separate events, showing it all that he is dead set for his first international competition in Malaysia before the month ends.

After winning gold in the boys elementary singles during the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet recently in Dumaguete City, the nine-year-old tennister from the University of San Carlos-South flew to Manila for a tougher battle that is the PCA Open Juniors.

Pantino showed no signs of fatigue from the week-long regional meet as he pulled off a convincing 6-1, 6-0 win against Chloe Saraza of Metro Manila to take home the crown in the unisex 10-under class.

The Malaysia-bound Pantino actually had an impressive performance all throughout the tournament.

After enjoying a first round bye, Pantino clobbered Zamboanga’s Nicole Gorospe, 6-0,6-0 and then dumped Cagayan de Oro’s Jonelle Llavore, 6-0,6-1.

In the quarterfinal round, Pantino grabbed another 6-0, 6-1 victory before surviving a two-set thriller 6-3, 6-4 over Metro Manila’s Norman Gaspar to arrange a championship date with Saraza.

Pantino was the lone Cebuano entry in the PCA Open Juniors as the bemedalled Jacob Lagman withdrew from the event. Lagman was bent on playing in the men’s division instead of the junior class even as he is still a junior player.

Pantino's string of success will surely give him the needed boost as he leaves for Malaysia today together with fellow Cebuano Christopher Encarnation and the rest of the Philippine squad sponsored by Milo. (THE FREEMAN)