Patrombon sets pace for PH

Friday, February 10, 2012

FROM playing tennis with a bottle of whisky for a racket, Iligan City’s pride Jeson Patrombon has certainly gone a long way.

The 18-year-old standout was given a tough task of playing a crucial first singles match in the Philippines’ bid in the Davis Cup Group 2 tie against Pacific Oceania.

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And he delivered with a straight-set win over Cyril Jacobe, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (4) yesterday in Iriga City, winning his first bearing match for the Philippines in the Davis Cup.

Patrombon got same real challenge from Jacobe in the third set, which ended in a tie-break.

The 28-year-old veteran Jacobe salvaged three match points before finally succumbing to his younger foe.

In the first set, the two figured in three deadlocks before Patrombon took the set and winning the next three games, punctuated by a booming ace from the former junior standout.

With momentum on his side, Patrombon almost sailed through the second set, breaking Jacobe twice to lead 4-0.

Jacobe broke his silence in the fifth game, 4-1, but Patrombon had already built up a good lead to take the set.

This was the first time Patrombon played in a bearing match for the Davis Cup team.

The second singles between Treat Huey and Michael Leong was being played at press time last night.

Expected to play the doubles match for the PH team are Ruben Gonzales and Johnny Arcilla.

Another junior standout, Jurence Mendoza, is the team’s alternate.

Calling the shots from the sidelines is Cecil Mamiit, who sits out in this tie for the
first time since carrying the team from Group 3 to Group 1 six years ago.

Lapu-Lapu City hosted two ties last year—against Japan and Chinese Taipei, which the Philippines both lost.

It then lost to New Zealand to drop out of Group 1.