Arthur Craig Pantino clawed his way back from the brink of defeat to stun top seed AJ Lim in a dramatic finale to the Gentry National Tennis Open Championship, scoring a gutsy 2-6, 5-7, 6-4, 3-1(ret.) victory Sunday at the Colegio San Agustin courts in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.
Pantino’s triumph was a testament to his grit and endurance.
Facing a red-hot Lim, who entered the finals on a dominant run and had previously defeated him in the quarterfinals of the recent PCA Open, Pantino refused to fold, digging deep after falling behind two sets and weathering the storm against the favored champion.
The win capped a resilient week for Pantino, who earlier dispatched No. 7 seed Nilo Ledama, 6-4, 6-1, in the quarterfinals, then rallied from a set down to upend second seed Eric Jed Olivarez, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, in the semis.
One of only two “special exempt” players in the P2 million tournament, Pantino earned the top prize of P300,000 in the event presented by Great Wall Motor Philippines and supported by Gentry Timepieces through Hayb Anzures.
Lim, who had stormed through his own draw with dominant wins over Thai ace Tanakorn Srirat, 6-1, 6-2, and ninth-ranked Charles Kinaadman, 6-4, 7-6(3]), looked poised for another title before fatigue and cramps curtailed his challenge.
Tenniele Madis capped her two-week tear with a ruthless 6-2, 6-0 win over doubles partner Stefi Aludo to claim the women’s singles crown and pocket P100,000.
Madis, who dropped just six games in five matches, blanked Rachel Velez, 6-0, 6-0, in the semis. Velez had earlier eliminated top seed Mikaela Vicencio in a surprise upset.
Aludo, for her part, shocked second seed Tiffany Nocos, 6-3, 6-0, in the semifinals before running into an in-form Madis in the final of the event held in partnership with the Palawan Pawnshop National Tennis Championships.
In women’s doubles, Madis and Aludo combined forces to defeat Elizabeth Abarquez and Rovie Baulete, 6-1, 6-3, while Alexis Acabo and Ronard Joven bagged the men’s doubles title, overcoming Charles Kinaadman and Jed Olivarez, 6-1, 7-6(5), in a tightly contested final of the tournament supported by Hiessence, Purse Maison, Mobile Cart, Primoshine, Sole Avenue, PDAX, Darling’s Fine Jewels, Luxetrust by Amethyst, The Watch Reserve, and Guapo Car Care Solutions. Dunlop and ICON served as official ball providers.
University of the East clinched the National InterSchool men’s team title over Letran, while Ateneo ruled the women’s collegiate division. UE also took the men’s collegiate title, with John Benedict Agular emerging as singles champion. Agular then teamed up with Mark Palanas to sweep the men’s collegiate doubles.
In Legends division, Gee Abacan and Mark Alcoseba claimed the 30s crown with Abacan later teaming up with Ken Salvo to nail the 40s trophy. Aldrin Geluz and Renell Crescino pocketed the 50s diadem, while Aldrin Geluz and Crescini bagged 50s championship.
