Pantino, Eala trump rivals

Arthur Craig Pantino and Alex Eala bannered the local campaigns as they made the quarterfinals of the Phinma-PSC International Juniors tennis championships Thursday at Manila Polo Club clay courts.

Pantino, who committed zero unforced errors in the first set, coasted to a 6-0, 6-4 triumph over six-foot Chen Kuan-yu in boys’ singles.

Earlier, 13-year-old Eala continued her run in the girls’ singles after besting Japanese Erika Matsuda, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, to also advance.

Pantino was relentless against Chen, who just recently won an ITF tourney in Taiwan. He blasted away with 10 winners to take the opening round with ease before the Taiwanese got his groove in the second frame.

At 4-4 and serving, Pantino, ranked No. 115 in the world, changed to a spinning serve that threw his opponent off.

Pantino will next battle the winner between compatriot Aljon Talatayod and New Zealand youngster Corban Crowther.

Seeded eighth, Eala will next take on Chinese Taipei qualifier Li Yu-yun, who trounced Samantha Nanere of Indonesia, 6-3, 6-1.