YOUNG blood—instead of the tried and tested—will open up the Philippines’ campaign in its Davis Cup Group I Asia/Oceania relegation tie against Uzbekistan Friday.

Following his steady play against the Japanese in the previous tie, Patrick John Tierro takes the court first against Uzbek No. 1 Denis Istomin in the first singles match of the best-of-five tie at the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) shell clay courts.

RP No. 1 Cecil Mamiit, on the other hand, will take on Uzbek No. 2 Farrukh Dustov in the second singles match at 1 p.m.

On Saturday the doubles match will pit Mamiit and Eric Taino against Istomin and Dustov at 1 p.m.

The reverse singles matches are slated Sunday, with Mamiit taking on Istomin at 10 a.m., and Tierro against Dustov at 1 p.m.

In previous Davis Cup ties, the RP No. 2 spot is usually reserved for Taino. But this time, after his impressive play in the Japan tie, Tierro takes the cudgels.

“The captain decides who to play. But I think everybody is playing well, anybody could be the No. 2. The pressure will always be there but I’m ready,” said the 22-year-old Tierro.

In the Japan tie, Tierro came in as a replacement for Taino, who suffered from a viral infection, and forced Japan’s top-ranked player Go Soeda to a hilt in grueling five sets before losing in the Group I first-round tie at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

RP non-playing team captain Manny Tecson is banking on Tierro’s solid play against Go as a strategy.

“It is also a mind game. I want them to think about PJ. For me, it is better if the opponent is thinking about you instead of ‘Hey, who is this guy?’”, said Tecson.

Tecson said that the Uzbeks are definitely ready for this tie.

“All of them are professional players. The shell court and the heat, if you are a pro, you are ready to adjust,” said Tecson.

Thinking of the future

Tecson also said that aside from the strategy, Tierro should be given this kind of exposure of facing a top caliber player in the 21-year-old Istomin, ranked No. 156 in the world.

“I think it is about time to think about some of our players for the future. We hoped that Cecil and Eric will play forever but that’s not going to happen. This is the time to hone our young players,” he said.

Tierro assured that he is in tip top shape against Istomin. He went toe-and-toe against Go but suffered cramps during his match leading to his defeat.

 “We practiced a lot and focus on conditioning more because it will take a while to play this court.

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