Jeson Patrombon stumbled in the second round of singles but made up for it by teaming up with Fil-Italian Marc Reyes to reach the doubles semifinals of the F1 Futures in Eilat, Israel, Wednesday.
Patrombon, who is set to play in the coming Davis Cup tie, fell to Maxim Dubarenco of Moldova in three sets, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.
But his partnership with Reyes proved effective as they stunned second seeds Mike Vermeer of Luxembourg and Gleb Sakharov of France, 6-2, 4-6, (12-10), in the quarterfinals.
Although playing together for the first time, Patrombon and Reyes showed cohesion and sharpness to repulse their rivals.
“Our boys are standing firm against the competition, and all the hard work they’re putting in it is bound to pay off,” said their coach Manny Tecson.
Tecson said the victory gave the duo doubles ranking points from the Association of Tennis Professionals, which will give them priority in doubles events in the men’s circuit.
“There’s a sense of pride that you see and feel every time you see them win,” added Tecson. “Unlike before when I use to pair Jeson with players from other countries the feeling is half- baked.”
Patrombon and Reyes, who is still listed as Italian, gun for the doubles finals against third seeds Jean Andersen and Ruan Roelofse of South Africa, who outlasted Norbert Gombos and Adrian Partl of Slovak Republic, 6-7 (7-1), 6-2, (10-3).