MANILA, Philippines - Ranged against an unfancied Pacific Oceania side in the upcoming Asia-Oceania Davis Cup Group II first round tie, tennis officials have decided to field in a younger cast headed by Fil-Ams Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales, and local stars Jeson Patrombon and Johnny Arcilla.
Many-time skipper Cecil Mamiit has been delegated as the non-playing team captain in the event slated Feb. 10-12 at the University of St. Anthony Indoor court in Iriga City.
“Philta wants to give our younger players a chance to prove their worth against Pacific Oceania,” said Randy Villanueva, the country’s Davis Cup coordinator.
“I’ve also talked to Cecil and he will now focus on helping the team as non-playing captain,” he added.
Huey, who teamed up with Denise Dy in copping the mixed doubles gold medal in last month’s SEA Games, will now lead the team in lieu of the 35-year-old Mamiit, who has skippered the national squad the last four years where he guided the team to Group I before its Group II relegation.
Patrombon, who made it to the top 10 in the world juniors ranking early in the year before joining the tougher pro tournaments, is expected to benefit most from the Philta decision with regard to exposure. He actually won a non-bearing singles match over a Chinese Taipei foe last August in a Group I loss in Lapu Lapu City.
Against Pacific Oceania, composed of West Nott, Cyrile Jacobe, Leon So’Onalole, Michael Leong and Daniel Llarenas, Patrombon is tipped to play in the other singles match next to Huey and perhaps the tall, power-hitting Gonzales too.
Meanwhile, Mamiit, a two-time SEA Games gold medalist and Asian Games bronze medal winner, can now fully concentrate on the coaching job where he can share his expertise with the young Filipino netters.
Pacific-Oceania, which defeated Iran, 4-1, in their own relegation tie to stay in Group II, are composed of players from associate member islands of Oceania except those from Australia and New Zealand.
Pacific-Oceania joined the Davis Cup in 1995 and made it to the second ro9und in Group II in 2005 for its best finish.