Jeson Patrombon

IRIGA CITY, Philippines — Jeson Patrombon and Johnny Arcilla outclassed separate foes Sunday as the Philippines swept the Pacific Oceania crew, 5-0, in the Asia Oceania Zone Group II tie at the University of St. Anthony indoor hardcourt here.

Patrombon gave up only one game in whipping six-foot Aymeric Mara, 6-0, 6-1, while Arcilla dominated Cyril Jacobe, 6-2, 6-1.

The Filipino Cuppers already clinched the tie Saturday night when Arcilla and Ruben Gonzales survived Jacobe and Daniel Llarenas, 6-7 (3), 7-5, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4), to reduce the reverse singles into best-of-three matches.

It marked the first time the Filipinos won all matches since blanking the Kuwaitis in Group II five years ago.

Patrombon, the 18-year-old former world juniors No. 9, improved his Davis Cup record to 3-1 since joining the squad last year.

The Iligan City native dumped Cyril Jacobe, 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (4), in Friday's opening singles before Fil-American Treat Huey made quick work of Pacific Oceania's No. 1 player Michael Leong, 6-0, 6-3, 6-2, in the other singles match.

In a departure from previous practice, non-playing captain Cecil Mamiit said henceforth, young players will be given chance to play in Davis Cup.

"This is my new vision to the team: for all the players to step up," said Mamiit in his first non-playing stint with the squad since joining in 2006. "I mean, we could have played Treat (Huey) but I think it's a better statement that we're not afraid to use four guys. That's what we're trying to work on."

Huey, ranked No. 47 in doubles in the world, could have made things easier in doubles, but Mamiit decided to field Arcilla, the team’s most senior player.

"Before, it's always been fielding the best two players both in the singles and doubles matches, but now we have this vision and it's great," said Mamiit, who steered the country to numerous international victories.

The tie victory arranged the Filipinos a next meeting with either Lebanon or Pakistan on April 6 to 8.

The last time the PH team played against Lebanon was in 2005, where the Filipinos lost 2-3 in Group II to be relegated to the lowly Group III the following year.

The Filipinos, meanwhile, won their last meeting against Pakistan in 2009, 3-2, also in Group II.