Arthur Pantino claimed the scalps of two of the country’s top guns, stunning top seed Johnny Arcilla in the semis then turning back No. 2 and Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Jeson Patrombon, 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-1, to clinch the PPS-PEPP Dagitab Festival Open crown at City of Naga Tennis Courts in Cebu on Sunday.
The 18-year-old University of San Carlos ace held his ground against the veteran Arcilla and pulled off a surprise 6-3, 6-4 victory, then kept his poise against Patrombon in their thrilling baseline duel that saw him fight off three match points in the second set before dominating the decider to hack out the stirring triumph.
Pantino, who scored back-to-back victories in the ITF (International Tennis Federation) junior circuit and swept the two-leg Phinma juniors at Manila Polo Club this year, pocketed the top P40,000 purse in the event put up by Palawan Pawnshop Palawan Express Pera Padala.
Ranked 10th in a field of 64, the Cebu-based Pantino rolled past Jolo Basa, 6-0, 6-2, repulsed No. 7 Leander Lazaro, then routed third seed Vicente Anasta, 6-1, 6-2, in the quarters.
Ranged against many-time Davis Cup campaigner Arcilla in the semis, Pantino didn’t flinch and carved out the straight-sets win. He did show signs of cracking up against Patrombon in the finals by blowing a 5-3 first set lead.
But down, 3-5, in the second, Pantino held serve in the ninth game then rallied from 0-40 in the 10th by stringing five straight points then outlasting Patrombon in the tiebreaker to force the decider, which Pantino dominated as Patrombon lost steam battling younger, fired-up rival in long baseline rallies.
Patrombon, however, got back at his singles tormentor as he teamed up with Casey Alcantara to beat Pantino and Arcilla, 6-3, 7-6(6), to nail their second straight doubles crown after beating compatriots Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales Jr. in the recent Southeast Asian Games.