Jeson Patrombon and teenager John Bryan Otico will lead the country’s charge against Thailand in the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group 2 tie which begins Saturday with the opening rubbers at Philippine Columbian Association shell/clay courts.
Originally listed as reserve, Otico was called to duty after fellow 18-year-old Alberto Lim Jr. incurred a shoulder injury on the eve of the tie.
Francis Casey Alcantara and Johnny Arcilla will play doubles against twins Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana, the reigning Southeast Asian Games champions, on Sunday.
The reverse singles, also on Sunday, will have Patrombon and Otico switching opponents.
Otico, the current PCA Open singles champion, will bank on his familiarity with the surface. He also won in his Davis Cup debut last February when the Philippines ousted Indonesia, 4-1.
“I’ll do everything I can to give the country a good start,” said Otico, who will face Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul, the 21-year-old silver medalist in last year’s Malaysia SEA Games.