Arthur Craig Pantino showed why he is one of the country’s top junior netters while Argao’s John Paul Belikaol was an inspiring sight in yesterday’s 19th JRG Gullas Cup tennis tournament at the Citigreen Tennis Resort in Labangon, Cebu City.
The 13-year-old Pantino, the country’s top-ranked player in the boys’ 14-Under age group, scored a lopsided 6-0, 6-1 victory over Francis Ricana in his first game in the higher 16-Under division.
Pantino is playing for the first time in the Gullas Cup since losing a championship match to John Godfrey Seno in 2011. The win pushed the 16-under 4th seed Pantino to today’s round of 16.
TOP SEED. Arthur Craig Pantino of USC South Campus serves to his opponent in the 16-and-under division of the 19th JRG Gullas Cup at the Citi Green Tennis Resort.
(CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
INSPIRING
Belikaol meanwhile, defied odds in his masterful 6-1, 6-0 win over Don Bosco College’s Matthew Gullem in the boys’ 14-Under division.
The Argao Cebu native was born with just one arm but this didn’t hinder him from excelling in tennis as proven by his easy win.
Others who made it to the Round-of-16 in the 16-Under Boys were Jermaine Laurel, who defeated Anthony Joshua Lu; Cesar Laborite, who kicked out Lawrence Abarquez, 6-2, 6-2; Jwel Grospe, who eliminated Edri Manigsaca, 6-2, 6-1; Mark Ramero, who ousted Pati Mejia, 6-3, 6-1; Charlie Cabbarubias, who won over Francis Navales, 6-2, 6-1; John Clyde Laquio, who buried Jan Dale Lao, 6-0, 6-0;
Norman Joseph Enriquez, who dumped Kurt Molina, 6-1, 6-0; Catteo Jayme, who defeated Peter Cantillas, 6-3, 6-0; and second seed Janus Ringia of Koronadal, South Cotabato, who crushed Geiel Villaflor, 6-2, 6-1.
QUARTERFINALISTS
Marc Pradel, for his part, cruised to his third straight win to become the first player in the Boys’ 16-Under division to enter the Round of 8.
Pradel caught a big fish as he ousted 2nd seed JR Arguelles of Bacolod in a grueling three-set marathon in the Round-of-32, 2-6, 6-3, 10-5, then blasted away Kevin Dale Abellanosa in the Round-of-16, 6-2, 6-3, to book a seat in the quarterfinals.
Also advancing to the boys’ 14-Under Round-of-16 are Janus Ringia, a 6-0, 6-0 winner over Christian Dale Bajenting; Lorenz Celis, who blasted Rey Toledo, 6-3, 6-2; and Heart Sotto, Francis Hidalgo and Gabriel Trazo, who all won by defaults.
TOP DRAW. John Paul Belikaol has only one arm, but do not let his handicap fool you, this 14-year-old lad from Argao town packs a mean forehand as proven by his lopsided 6-1, 6-0 first round win against Matthew Gullem in their 14-and-under match in the ongoing 19th JRG Gullas Cup. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
GIRLS WINNERS
In the distaff side, Edel Parangan zoomed into the next round of the 16-U after she ousted Precious Coderos, 6-3, 6-3.
In the 14-Under division, yesterday’s winners were Bliss Baykin, Ellaine Bahonsua, Elizabeth Abarquez, Edhel Parangan and Kristin Renee Salimbangon.
The 10-Under Unisex winners in the second day of action were Cesar Salimbangon, Tiffany Nocos, Brent Cortes, Ashton Villanueva, Harland Hogan, James Quino and Rupert Tortal.