Pantino, Eala banner Phl bid in Phinma tiff

Arthur Pantino and Michael Eala hope to buck the odds as they go all-out to snap a long spell by the local boys in the 2017 Phinma-PSC Juniors Tennis Championships, which unfolds Tuesday at the Manila Polo Club in Forbes Park.

Although Khim Iglupas has kept the country in the mix with her string of victories in the girls’ side of the Group 4 ITF (International Tennis Federation) 18-and-under event, the local boys have struggled the last few years in the face of tough opposition, particularly from the Japanese and Taiwanese rivals.

The event is sponsored by the Philippine Investment Management Consultants (Phinma) and sanctioned by the Philippine Tennis Association.

Meanwhile, Manuel Balce III and Matthew Garcia join Pantino and Eala in the 22-player draw with the remaining slots in the 32-man draw to be disputed by a slew of aspirants in the two-day qualifying round beginning today, according to tournament director Chris Cuarto with Malaysian Razmee Rawi as the tournament referee.