Pantino wins 14-U crown in CdO net

CEBU’S ARTHUR Craig “Igi” Diaz Pantino ended his campaign in the Cagayan de Oro leg of the 14th Smart-HEAD Junior Satellite Circuit tennis tournament with success after clinching the boys 14-under title.

Pantino of the University of San Carlos South Campus not only bagged the title but also won for the first time against John Bryan Otico, 6-0, 6-1.

The Kirschbaum Strings Germany-sponsored netter lost to Otico in all four of their previous meetings.

Pantino, who will be turning 11 years old next week, has also something to be proud of despite losing in the semifinals of the boys 16-under against Rolly Saga, 4-8.

Just in his second time to compete in the category, Pantino reached the semifinals and also dismissed the category’s top seed Hakeem Cariga, 8-1, in the quarterfinals.

Jun Pantino, Igi’s father,  said his son is ecstatic about his achievement yesterday.

Pantino would have seen action in the Zamboanga leg of the event slated April 18 to 20, but his father said that due to the military unrest, they are opting to return to Cebu today.

He will instead resume training for the Henry Lee tournament in Manila on April 23.

After Zamboanga, the tournament’s next stop will be in Cebu from April 22 to 25 at the Cebu International Tennis Centre Inc. in Laray, Consolacion.

Deadline of registration will be on April 20.

For more information, interested participants can call or text 0908-743-2405. /CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON