Alcantara completes Cuppers win over Thais

MANILA, Philippines - Francis Casey Alcantara trounced Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul, 6-4, 4-6, 6-0, late Sunday to complete the Philippines’ resounding 4-1 victory over Thailand in the second round of the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group II tie at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu.

Earlier, Ruben Gonzales actually clinched the tie for the hosts with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 romp over Thai No. 1 Danam Udomchoke for a 3-1 count, rendering the final reverse singles match between Alcantara and Trongcharoenchaikul non-bearing.

But the Cagayan de Oro native still went for the win, pounding Trongcharoenchaikul with a variety of shots to fashion out the victory that formalized the hosts’ stint in the third and final round against New Zealand in September.

A victory over the Kiwis will put the Filipinos back in Group I.

The Phl and Thai split the opening singles with Gonzales retiring a cramp-stricken Trongcharoenchaikul and Udomchoke clipping Johnny Arcilla. But Treat Huey and Alcantara took the doubles over Pruchya Isarow and Nuttanon Kadchapanan, 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (4), giving the hosts a pivotal 2-1 edge.

In the first reverse singles match, Gonzales, 27, displayed top form to topple Udomchoke, hitting heavy spins and scoring on drop shots and forehand attacks while holding serve.

“This is the biggest win for me. I said I was so ready for this match and I have proven it,” said Gonzales.

Udomchoke actually played with an elbow injury, but he didn’t use it as an excuse, saying Gonzales did play extremely well.

“I tried everything I could, but Gonzales played impressively. I don’t know what else to do after the second set. In the third set, I couldn’t control the ball,” said Udomchoke.

The Phl thus hold a 4-2 advantage over Thailand in their six Davis Cup faceoffs since 1959. ­