Five-man Philippine Davis Cup pool named

The Philippine Davis Cup team has named a five-man pool for the Asia/Oceania Group 1 relegation tie against New Zealand on July 8 to 10.

Fil-American Ruben Gonzales has been recalled to join regulars Cecil Mamiit, Treat Huey, Johnny Arcilla and newcomer Jeson Patrombon in the tie which New Zealand will host in Taranaki.

Though PH Davis Cup administrator and Philippine Tennis Association vice president Randy Villanueva refused to confirm it, the five-man squad was formed in anticipation of the possible absence of Huey.

Now ranked 92nd in the world in doubles, Huey is slated to compete in the ATP-Campbell’s Hall of Fame in Rhode Island, a $500,000 event that carries bigger ATP points and clashes with the PH-NZ Davis Cup sked.

The 25-year-old from University of Virginia is paired with Izak Van der Merwee of South Africa in the main draw of the men’s doubles.

The country has until June 28 to formalize its four-man lineup.

Mamiit, the 34-year-old veteran, who is expected to be named playing team captain again, is with Team Maria Sharapova as the Russian’s hitting partner in Wimbledon.

Patrombon is also in the All England Club competing in his second to the last Grand Slam tournament as a junior campaigner.

Gonzales played for the Philippines when it lost to Chinese Taipei, 4-1, last year and the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, the 18-year-old Patrombon is a Davis Cup rookie.

Arcilla won a match when the PH squad demolished New Zealand, 4-1, two years ago.