IRIGA City – The Philippine Davis Cup team begins its post-Cecil Mamiit era when it plays Pacific Oceania in the first two singles matches of their Asia/Oceania Group 2 tie today at the University of Saint Anthony Forum in Camarines Sur here.

On the shoulders of youthful Jeson Patrombon rests the daunting task of opening the country’s campaign in the premiere international team event in men’s tennis, facing Cyril Jacobe in the first singles game at 3 p.m.

Veteran Treat Huey, ranked 47th in doubles, takes center court two hours later, battling Michael Leong in the second singles match.

Mamiit, the face of the country’s Davis Cup unit for a long-time now, has decided to give up his slot and is now working on the sidelines as non-playing team captain.

But the 35-year-old Fil-Am from Los Angeles, California, believes in the talent and skills level of the team that also has Ruben Gonzales and Johnny Arcilla for its two other members.

In particular, Mamiit, the winningest Filipino doubles player in Davis Cup history (9-7 win-loss), is very positive about the spotlight finally being given to Patrombon, the 18-year-old rising PH netter currently ranked 874 in the world – the highest in the team.

“It's more on experience for him (Patrombon), it's giving more exposure for him, he's been playing in lots of tournaments abroad,” said Mamiit, the force behind the country’s return to Group 1 last year.

“It’s a good position for him to play in the first game instead of waiting for the nerves to gather. There is a lot of expectation to our team so I wanna keep the level high, think positive and give it our all.”

The doubles tandem of Gonzales and Arcilla sees action on Saturday against Jacobe and Daniel Llarenas, whose father hails from Pangasinan, but is now based in Guam.

The reverse singles will be played Sunday, with Patrombon going up against Leong, the most veteran among the members of the Pacific Oceania team and the only player ranked in the world at 1782. Huey, on the other hand, clashes with Jacobe in the other singles match.

The PH Davis Cup squad is ranked 41st in the tournament, and will see action in Group 2 following a two-year stint in Group 1.

Pacific Oceania, consisting of players from associate member islands in Oceania, excluding Australia and New Zealand, is ranked 66th and has not played in Group 1 yet.