CEBUANO tennis sensation Arthur Craig Pantino inched closer to pocketing his second doubles title in two weeks as he advanced to the semifinal round of the PSC-Phinma International Juniors Week 2 tournament yesterday at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City.
Pantino, who teamed up with Michael Eala last week to win the PSC-Phinma International Juniors Week 1 doubles title, worked wonders with his new partner John Bryan Otico as they beat the Filipino tandem of Justin Suarez and Joseph Tiamson, 6-0, 6-3, to advance into the penultimate round.
The Pantino-Otico duo set up a semis showdown with Japan’s Shunsuke Mitsui and Ryota Ishii, who eliminated Cebuano Rucel Cero and Sebastien Lhuillier, 6-1, 6-1, in the quarterfinals.
The 16-year-old Pantino also clinched a quarterfinals berth in the singles play with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Marvin Lee to make it to the magic eight.