Pantino settles for runner-up finish in Phinma-PSC junior netfest

FILE: Reaching the singles final was an accomplishment for Pantino, who has played in 15 international tournaments this year. He was a semifinalist in the ITF Junior Becamex Cup in Vietnam last July. (Photo: Arthur Craig Diaz Pantino/Facebook)

MANILA — Cebuano Arthur Craig Pantino lost to top seed Japanese Shinsuke Mitsui, 6-3, 6-3, on Sunday in the boys’ singles final of the Phinma-PSC International Juniors 1 at the Manila Polo Club indoor claycourt in Makati City.

Reaching the singles final was an accomplishment for Pantino, who has played in 15 international tournaments this year. He was a semifinalist in the ITF Junior Becamex Cup in Vietnam last July.

Pantino also has reason to celebrate after winning the doubles title with Michael Francis Eala on Saturday.

The top-ranked Filipino pair won over third seeds Kei Manaka and Taiyo Yamanaka of Japan, 6-2, 6-2.

The world’s No. 264 Mitsui, on the other hand, collected his second singles title after winning at the Northern Marianas Juniors Championships last May.

The girls’ singles title went to American Nicole Hammond, who scored a 6-1, 6-4 victory over compatriot Elizabeth Stevens, 6-1, 6-4, in the championship round.

Hammond and Stevens won the doubles title over Chinese pair Li Jingyi and Tian Fangram, 6-3, 6-4.

Meanwhile, the second leg of the Phinma-PSC International Juniors will begin on Tuesday in the same venue.

Leading the entries in the boys division are Filipino John Bryan Otico, the highest world-ranked player in main draw at No. 127, and Indian Megh Bhargay Patel (No. 167), while Australian Lisa Mays, ranked No. 260 in the world juniors, is the top seed in the girls division.

 (PNA)