Cebu’s Pantino withdraws from Olivarez Net

A FEVER FORCED Cebu’s Arthur Craig “Igi” Diaz Pantino to withdraw from the ongoing age-group competition of the Olivarez-Philta Open Tennis Championships held at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat Paranaque.

The 11-year-old Pantino was one of the favorites to win the boys 14 title and would have been vying for a quarterfinals slot against Vincent Alanis yesterday but had to give it up after waking up to severe headache. He was seeded 3rd in the category.

Pantino will instead be coming home today to recover, his mother Lourdes said. Lourdes said it was unfortunate that her son had to quit from the competition, which would have given him more Philippine Tennis Association points. However, she said they cannot sacrifice his health.

Pantino will resume his Manila training on Aug. 28 in preparation for the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) 14-under series in Malaysia. He will be joined by another Cebuana netter Jana Pages.

Meanwhile, Francis Casey Alcantara breezed through to the third round together with Marc Reyes as they posted separate victories over their opponents last Saturday.

Alcantara, the 2009 Australian Open junior doubles champion, followed up his 6-0, 6-3 rout of Arjohn dela Cruz with a 6-0, 6-0 romp over 10th ranked Kim Saraza to arrange a Last 16 duel with fifth seed Rolando Ruel Jr. in the men’s Open singles.

Reyes overwhelmed Rollie Anasta, 6-0, 6-1, to set up a clash with Michael Mantua. \Correspondents Mars Alison and Jonas Panerio