THE FUTURE of Philippine tennis gets its baptism of fire this week.

Youth champions who figured prominently in several international events the past months will represent the country in the qualifying events for the junior Davis Cup and junior Federation Cup.

Led by 16-year-old Jeson Patrombon and Anne Clarice Patrimonio, the boys and girls teams will see action in the Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club in Victoria, Australia, on April 15 to 20.

Patrombon, who is already being considered for a spot in the RP Davis Cup pool, will banner the boys team along with Leander Lazaro and Alberto Villamor. Roland Kraut will be the skipper with patron Jean Henri Lhuillier as manager.

A hitting partner of junior Australian Open doubles champ Francis Casey Alcantara, Patrombon is now ranked 227th in the International Tennis Federation juniors.