Davis Cup: RP is back in Group I of Asia-Oceania

Filipino tennis players lifted the Philippines back into Group I of the Asia-Oceania Zone of the Davis Cup after winning the Group II title on Saturday over their Kuwaiti opponents, who competed in their home turf. The last time the Philippines competed in that group was in 1997. But the team – composed of Robert Angelo, Joseph Lizardo, Michael John Misa, and Pio Tolentino lost – to Indonesia. According to a press statement from the team management, Cecil Mamiit teamed up with Eric Taino to post a 6-7 (5), 6-0, 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 win over the pair Mohammad Al-Ghareeb and Mohammad Siddiq for the Philippines' third point in the best-of-five matches tie. Mamiit had been suffering from an allergic attack since Friday after his singles. But he provided the spark and confidence that rubbed off on Taino, though they were playing a largely hometown crowd. "It was the best show of courage I have seen," nonplaying team captain Martin Misa said. "Cecil refused just to lie down on his bed and do nothing. He was really the spark of this team." The doubles win on Saturday put the score at 3-0, thus rendering Sunday's reverse singles as "dead matches," which no longer had any bearing. A zone group tie is a best-of-five affair. On Friday, Mamiit trounced Ahmad Rabeea Muhammad, 6-3, 6-0, 6-0, and Taino dumped Al Ghareeb, 6-2, 6-3, 7-6. After dinner on the same day, Mamiit had a bout of nausea and found it hard breathing. At around midnight, Misa and coach Chris Cuarto rushed him to the New Dor Al Shifa hospital where he was diagnosed to have contracted allergy from "toxic substance." He was given an antihistamine shot and Telfast tablets (which relieves symptoms) and was advised to take a rest for at least three days. "After consultations with Chris, I was about to retain Patrick (PJ Tierro) and Johnny (Arcilla) for the crucial doubles. But Cecil came in to the room and said he is ready to play, and that was it," Misa said. The victory, however, did not come easy as Mamiit and Taino had a sluggish start and had their rhythm going into a roller-coaster drive. But every time their play seemed to be going down, the big Filipino crowd, shepherded into the gallery by members of the Filipino Tennis Association in Kuwait (FTAK), gave the Fil-Americans the inspiration and resolve to do better. According to the statement, the Filipinos spectators were waving the national tricolor and chanting "Let's Go, Philippines, let's go" and the famous "Boom Tarat-Tarat" jingle. Because of the support, Mamiit and Taino pushed on to humiliate the hosts and get the Philippines back into its former seat in the elite Group I of the zone. "The Filipinos here served as the greatest inspiration to us," coach Cuarto said, referring to the FTAK members, which was led by its president, Tony Dezeda. The Filipino players were also given an an instant victory party Fil-American Sonny Busa, a Samareño who is consul general in the US Embassy in Kuwait. - GMANews.TV