Gold medal remains elusive for Pantino

CEBU, Philippines – For the third time, Cebuano netter Arthur Craig Pantino faltered in his gold medal bid in the singles event after he fell prey to a Thai opponent in their championship match during the Perlis Milo International Junior Tennis Championships in Perlis, Malaysia.

Pantino was easily disposed by Kunsuwan Natthassit, 6-3, 6-2 in the boys 10-under final.

It was a sorry loss for Pantino as he enjoyed a bye in the first two rounds. He tallied his first official win in the tournament at the expense of hometown bet Munshriff Bin Amran, 8-0.

In the quarterfinal, the pride of the University of San Carlos pulled away an 8-2 triumph against Thailand's Khamin Thonganan before escaping past the second seed Stefan Gligoroc of Selangor, 4-6,6-3, 10-4 via tie-breaker to proceed into the final round.

Pantino's last chance to bring home gold in the four-leg developmental Malaysian tennis circuit will be at the Langkawi International Tennis Championships beginning today. (FREEMAN)