MANILA, Philippines - The elite trainees of the Philippine Tennis Academy have been turning in impressive finishes both in the ITF (International Tennis Federation) and ATF (Asian Tennis Federation) Junior Circuits in Sri Lanka and Thailand, respectively, with Arthur Pantino winning back-to-back singles titles to move up in the rankings.
Pantino, 12, pulled off the feat in a three-week stretch as he shot up to No. 6 while earning a spot in the ATF Masters tournament in Qatar later this month.
Roxanne Resma and Khim Iglupas, also members of the PTA, nailed their second straight doubles titles with Resma, 16, winning her first ITF G4 crown in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Resma’s series of solid finishes also moved her up 400 places in the rankings while the 15-year-old Iglupas reached the finals in one leg in the circuit and likewise moved up in the latest rankings.
Another PTA trainee, Bryan Decasa, also won an age group title in California prior to the team’s Asian stints.
“The PTA provides opportunities to under-privileged kids to change their lives through tennis and eventually through educational scholarships either in the US or in Manila’s big universities, “ said Rommie Chan, who linked up with Jean Henri Lhuillier, Oscar Hilado and Hanky Lee in putting up the PTA In 2011.
“We started with undernourished kids from difficult backgrounds and they could not even win in local tournaments. Today they are both local and international champions,†he added.
The PTA has established satellite training centers in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, La Carlota, Bacolod, Isulan, and Bais with the main center at Alabang in Muntinlupa where the elite trainees are quartered and undergo home schooling with special tutors to address their educational needs.
The coaching staff is headed by veteran international coach and former Davis Cupper Jun Toledo who also guided Francis Alcantara to various ATF and ITF titles.
He is assisted by Ken Salvo, Romel Openiano and Rollyto Litang with Andy Maglipon as program director.