Arthur Craig Pantino saved the day for the Cebu as he came out as the lone Cebuano to win a championship title in the 2014 Philippine Lawn Tennis Association’s (Philta) 25th Andrada Cup at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Malate, Manila.
Pantino, the highest-seeded player among the Cebuanos in the tournament, saved what could have been a title shutout for the Cebuanos in the Philta Group 1 event as he snared the tiara in the boys 14-Under division with a victory over second-seed Jacob Martin.
The Boys 14-Under division top seed Pantino of the University of San Carlos–Basic Education Department (USC-BED), overcame a closely-fought opening set to demolish Martin in straight sets, 7-5, 6-3, in the finals.
The 12-year-old Pantino, currently ranked No. 2 in Philta and ranked No. 3 in the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF), was the king of the 10-Under Unisex and Boys’ 12-Under divisions in the 2012 edition of this tournament. He skipped the tilt last year to give way to the Philippine Tennis Academy’s program that sent him to the USA.
His 14-Under division counterpart in the distaff side, Zethley Mae Alferez of Bright Academy failed in her bid to win the title in the age group division as she fell to Chloe Saraza, 0-6, 1-6, in the championship battle.
Another Cebuano bet, Cesar Kristofer Salimbangon, likewise failed in his quest to bring home the title in the 10-Under Unisex division after losing to Miguel Luis Vicencio, 1-6, 0-6, in their titular battle. Cebuana Renee Kristin Salimabangon also faltered in her category.