Davis Cup notebook

Japanese still wary

CEBU, Philippines - In 1995, Japan was defeated by the Philippines on clay courts, 3-2, in Manila. Today, the Japanese may be leading the tie, 2-1, but they felt they’re in a tough situation.

“The last time the Philippines beat us was in 1995 and it was played on shell court. So I’d say you have a chance,” said Takao Suzuki, the only remaining player of Japan in that tie 16 years ago.

“We won the doubles during that year. This time, I lost. So I’d say, the result would also be different, we will win,” said Suzuki while trying to keep up his team’s morale after a lopsided loss to PHL in the doubles event.

Team captain Eiji Takeoshi said he is disappointed with the outcome as a 2-1 standing or even a 1-2 win-loss card is much more difficult to handle.

“Cecil (Mamiit) is feeling better plus the audience support. It’s going to be a hard match to face tomorrow (today). We come from the country known as the land of the rising sun but I don’t want rising sun tomorrow (today),” said Eiji Takeoshi.

Umpire fell from the chair

In an unexpected incident, an umpire fell off from his perch while the doubles match between the PHL and Japan was still going on.

The game was interrupted when umpire Abdulraoof Abdulsalam of Kuwait fell while going down to verify if PHL's ball clipped the line or not.

While trying to go down quickly, he sprained his right knee and crashed onto the court for about 15 minutes.

Plantation Bay’s medical team along with some Red Cross medics quickly rushed to administer first aid on Abdulraoof.The Kuwaiti umpire was then rushed to Mactan Doctors' Hospital but was released right away after X-ray test showed negative result of any fracture.

Cebu's tennis stars turn 'Ball kids'

Some of Cebu’s top junior players learned a lot as “ball kids” in the Davis Cup.

It taught them humility and reminded them to be respectful of ball boys after they were given the task to play the same role.

“I thought this was just an easy thing to do, now we know better,” said Sally Mae Siso.

Siso added their experience made them realize that ball boys are not to be underestimated and should be respected.

Other top junior players who served as “ball kids” in the three-day event are Jana Pages, Hannah Espinosa, Dan Eldred Cinco, Mac-Mac Enriquez and Joshua Kinaadman among others. (FREEMAN)