CEBUANO netter Arthur Craig Pantino proved that sometimes losing can bring out the best of everyone as he along with partner John Bryan Otico advanced to the semifinal round of the doubles division of the PTT – International Tennis Federation (ITF) Week 2 tournament yesterday in Thailand.
Earlier in the day, the 16-year-old Pantino still failed to overcome Keisuke Saitoh as he suffered a lopsided 6-1, 6-0 loss in the third round to bow out in singles competition.
It was Pantino’s second consecutive defeat against Saitoh, who also booted him out in the quarterfinal round of the PSC Phinma International Juniors last November in Manila.
However, Pantino and his partner Otico salvaged some inspiration by outlasting the Thai pair of Akanit Pumjit and Kasidit Samre, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 10-7 to advanxe to the semifinal round in doubles against the Indian pair of Sacchit Sharrma and Dev Javia.