By Jean Malanum
MANILA – Philippine Tennis Association (PTA) bets Arthur Craig Pantino and Tennielle Madis ruled the singles division of the Gentry National Open Tennis Championships at Colegio San Agustin hardcourts in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan on Sunday.
Pantino, a native of Cebu City, bagged the men’s title after top seed Alberto Lim Jr. was forced to retire due to exhaustion and cramps.
Lim won the first two sets (6-2, 7-5). Pantino took the third (6-4) and was leading 3-1 in the fourth when Lim called a medical timeout and eventually retired.
Pantino, who ousted No. 2 Eric Jed Olivarez, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, in the semifinal, thus avenged his quarterfinal loss to Lim in the recent Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open.
Lim eventually won the PCA tournament for the fourth time.
Meanwhile, Madis defeated PTA teammate Stefi Marithe Aludo, 6-2, 6-0, for the title.
On Saturday, they won the doubles title over top seeds Elizabeth Abarquez and Rovie Baulate, 6-1, 6-3.
“She played well. I just played better,” Madis said after winning her second Open singles title after the PCA Open. (PNA)
