Tennis eyes youngsters for Philippine team

MANILA, Philippines – Smarting from its demotion to Davis Cup Group 2, Philippine tennis is training its sights on youngsters with potential to fuel its campaign next year.

Philippine Tennis Association president and Parañaque Rep. Edwin Olivarez said their thrust in 2012 will be to harness the homegrown talents in representing the country in international events like the Davis Cup ties, the first of which the country will host in Iriga City in February.

He, however, didn’t discount the possibility of bringing in the usual gunners like Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey. But for the meantime, he said: “We need new homegrown talents. We need to develop a young team, that’s the direction we are taking.”

Being eyed is 15-year-old Jurence Zosimo Mendoza, who stormed to the finals of Philippine Columbian Association Open tennis late this month, beating older, seeded foes like former Cuppers Elbert Anasta and Patrick John Tierro.

Mendoza, an age-group standout under the tutelage of former Cupper Jun Toledo, has been playing with the PH Davis Cuppers the past two ties and could get the experience in the tie in Bicol.