MANILA, Philippines - Jeson Patrombon, who cracked the World Top 10 junior rankings a couple of weeks ago, will join the Phl Davis Cup team facing powerhouse Japan in their Asia-Oceania Zone Group I first round tie slated March 4-6 in Cebu.
However, the Youth Olympics veteran who reached the quarterfinal round of last month’s Australian Junior Open will play not as a regular team member but as one of two reserves.
“As official part of the team, he’s not because we could only field in four in the official team list,” said Randy Villanueva, the country’s Davis Cup administrator, yesterday.
Instead, Patrombon, currently ranked No. 9 in the world, the best by a Filipino netter since Felix Barrientos made it as No. 4 in the 1980s, along with former RP Davis cupper PJ Tierro will only get to play with the squad only as training members.
Fil-Ams Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey will still carry the cudgels for the Filipinos seeking to pull the rug from under the heavily favored Japanese with former RP No. 1 Johnny Arcilla and veteran local campaign Elbert Anasta completing the squad.
“Jeson Patrombon and PJ Tierro were invited as training members as well as reserves for our Davis Cup team,” said Villanueva.