Young DC team faces PacOceania

MANILA, Philippines - The absence of Cecil Mamiit in playing uniform will not stop the Philippine Davis Cup team from fulfilling its mission against Pacific Oceania in their Davis Cup Group 2 tie in Iriga City on Feb. 10-12.

“It will be different with Cecil on the sidelines as non-playing team captain,” said head coach Chris Cuarto during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s along United Nations Avenue.

Mamiit, who spearheaded the country’s Davis Cup campaign starting in 2006, has given up his slot as a player, and from now on will serve the team as non-playing captain.

“But he’s there and he still has a lot to impart on the team,” added Cuarto who was joined in the forum by assistant coach Roland Kraut and player Jeson Patrombon.

The other members of the team that will vie in the next tie as the Philippines hopes to move up to Group 1 are Treat Huey, Johnny Arcilla, Ruben Gonzalez Jr. and alternate Jurence Zozimo Mendoza.

The Philippines is favored to prevail over the team from Pacific Oceania.

“This is a different team. Cecil will not be playing when before we used to put him in the No. 1 spot. So, this is a younger team but it’s also a good chance to build them,” the head coach added in the session presented by Smart, Pagcor, and Shakey’s.

“It will be a good combination,” he said, referring to Huey and Arcilla with a lot of experience, and Patrombon and the rest with a lot of promise.

Matches will be held at the indoor courts of the University of St. Anthony in Iriga City. The visiting team is scheduled to arrive Feb. 6 and will fly straight to Legazpi City on the way to Iriga.

Cuarto said they chose hardcourt surface for the tie because it’s more comfortable for the Filipino Cuppers.

“In a way it will be to our advantage because our players play mostly on hardcourt recently. Our players are more comfortable here,” he said.

Cuarto said they’ve not decided yet on whom to field in the opening singles and doubles because with the team he has it’s not really a problem.