Pantino kicks off bid in 16-under category

ONE OF CEBU’S top netter Arthur Craig “Iggy” Diaz Pantino will start his foray in the 16 Under as the 13th Tru-Flex National Age Group 2012 comes off wraps today at the San Juanico Tennis Courts at the Ayala Alabang Village in Manila.

Pantino is supposed to be the country’s no.1 12-Under boys player. But the Phillipine Tennis Academy of Romy Chan, which trains the University of San Carlos South Campus student, wants him to go up to the 14- and 16-Under categories.

This is so Pantino, who is sponsored by Kirschbaum Strings Germany, would be prepared to see action in the Asian Tennis Federation and International Tennis Federation tournaments.

While he has still no rankings in the 16 Under, Pantino is currently ranked no.7 in the 14 Under.

Playing in the 14 and 16 Under will be a big leap for Pantino, who, in last year’s Tru-Flex netfest, clinched the championship in the 10-Under singles and doubles and 12-Under singles.

In today’s 16 Under, he will go up against Stefan Necerio in the first round.

In the 14 Under, he will have to wait for his opponent in the second round as he received a bye in the first round for being the second-seed player./CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON