Pinoy Davis Cuppers out to shock Japan

Filipino Davis Cuppers are poised to shock host Japan when they tangle in the first round of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group on Mar. 5-7 at the Namihaya Dome in Osaka, Japan. The Philippines and Japan have faced each other in 25 Davis Cup ties overall, with the latter prevailing 16 times. The Japanese team has also scored victories in the last two meetings, including a 5-0 sweep in 2008 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. But despite the unfavorable head-to-head results, Filipino tennis officials see the brighter side in the country’s drive for a possible return trip to the World Group Playoffs. “We got swept by Japan in 2008 but we gave them a tough fight in the first three singles. We also competed against them with Eric Taino sick," aid RP Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva. "But this time we are fielding a solid team which is also coming off a strong showing in the last SEA Games," added Villanueva, who along with national coach Cris Cuarto and Danny Francisco from Cebuana Lhuillier graced Tuesday’s PSA Forum. Fil-Am Cecil Mamiit will be back to anchor the team along with Fil-Am Treat Huey, Johnny Arcilla and Francis Casey Alcantara. “Cecil has matured a lot and his experience will surely help this team. He also has defeated Go, 6-4, 6-4, last November in an ATP Tour in the US and this is a good sign," said Villanueva, referring to Japan’s ace Go Soeda, who won all his three assignments against the Philippines in 2008. Huey is actively competing in the US and has been playing very well in doubles competitions while the veteran Arcilla and junior standout Alcantara are honing their skills by competing in tournaments in Mindanao. “Huey have been playing very well and in the last SEA Games, he defeated the top Southeast Asian player Danai Udomchoke. So we really have a strong team to Japan," said Cuarto.

Japan has yet to announce its team but Cuarto believes it will be made up of Go, Takao Suzuki and Satoshi Iwabuchi, who all saw action in 2008. Kei Nishikori, who was ranked 56th in the world last year and has competed in the US Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open, might also join the team. “But he suffered injuries and is not that active," Cuarto said. Fast surface “Our main concern is the playing court which is a carpet surface, making it a fast court. But Mamiit and Huey are exposed to many international tournaments and have played in similar venues," the RP team mentor said. "Besides, we plan to go to Japan a week before the tournament to get used to the playing condition and the cold weather," added Cuarto. Mamiit and Huey are expected to arrive in the country next week, with the team eyeing to leave on the 28th. Opening singles will be held on March 5 while the doubles action will take place next day followed by the reversed singles on March 7. Winner of the tie will arrange a second-round meeting on May 7-9 with the victor of the Australia-Chinese Taipei. Winner here will advancing to the World Group Playoffs. The country is bidding to make it back to the World Group Playoff after the team of Felix Barrientos and Roland So brought then to the elite bracket in 1991. - GMANews.TV