Fil-Am duo puts RP on brink of Davis Cup win

MANILA, Philippines – The Filipino-American duo of Cecil Mamiit and Treat Conrad Huey proved deadly as the duo gave Philippines a 2-1 edge against host Hong Kong in the ongoing Asia-Oceania Zone Group II tie at Victoria Park. Despite playing for the first time together, Mamiit and Huey was a picture of a perfect pair as they covered the courts very well to defeat Hong Kong’s Martin Sayer and Brian Hung, 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (4), in doubles play Saturday afternoon. Hong Kong earlier nominated Michael Lai and Brian Hung but Lai was replaced by their top player Sayer an hour before the doubles match. It was Mamiit’s second game for the day and his second straight win after pounding home team’s No.2 Hiu Tung Yu at the resumption of their suspended singles game Saturday morning in straight sets, 7-6 (2), 6-1, 6-1. Huey also proved to be a solid doubles partner which was really expected from him atoning for a 6-4, 7-6 (0), 6-2) loss to Sayer on Friday that gave Hong Kong a 1-0 lead. The Philippines now has two chances of sealing the victory as the reversed singles will be play Sunday starting at 2:00 p.m. The 32-year old Mamiit, who after posting nine straight wins since 2006 had only a win to show in eight matches last year against Group I teams of Japan, Uzbekistan and Kazahstan, will have the golden opportunity to send the Philippines in the next stage as he takes on Sayer. Huey is set to play Yu in the second match. “We have the momentum and I just hope Cecil can close it tomorrow," said RP Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva. A win by the Philippines will make it 6-0 in its head to head record against Hong Kong. But more importantly, the country will advance into the semifinals against the winner between Pakistan and Oman set from July 10 to 12. Pakistan is enjoying a commanding 2-0 lead against Oman as Aisam Qureshi defeated Khalid Al Nabhani, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2, and Ageel Khan topping Mohammed Al Naghani in five sets, 4-6, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3, 6-1. The winner in the semifinals will earn the right to play the finalist in the lower bracket made up of New Zealand, Indonesia, Kuwait and Malaysia for the right to advance to Group I in 2010. New Zealand has sealed a semis seat with a 3-0 record against Malaysia while Indonesia is up 2-1 against Kuwait. – GMANews.TV