RP on hostile soil in Davis Cup tie

MANILA, Philippines - The Cebuana Lhuillier Philippine Davis Cup team faces the tough task of overcoming homecourt disadvantage as Cecil Mamiit, Treat Huey, Johnny Arcilla and Niño Alcantara take on Japan in the first round of the Asia-Oceania Group 1 championships on the taraflex hardcourt of the Namihaya Dome, Osaka, on March 5-7.

Fresh in the minds of the Filipino netters is the country’s 5-0 loss to Japan in 2008 but Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) vice president Randy Villanueva said yesterday he’s confident of turning the tables this time around.

“When we lost to Japan, all the three bearing matches could’ve gone either way,” said Villanueva. “Now, the pressure is on Japan and our team is fast improving.”

The Philippines broke out of Group II to advance to Group I after beating Hong Kong, 4-1, Pakistan, 3-2, and New Zealand, 4-1, last year. Another positive sign was its rich harvest of two gold, three silver and five bronze medals at the recent Southeast Asian Games in Laos.

Mamiit, 33, is back to lead the Filipinos’ charge. In Davis Cup history, he has compiled a 21-7 record, including 14-4 in singles. Huey, 24, made his Davis Cup debut last year, posting a 5-1 mark. Arcilla, 30, has a combined 22-19 slate and Alcantara, 18, is 1-1 in singles.

The Japanese squad is made up of Tatsuma Ito, 21, Go Soeda, 25, Takao Suzuki, 33 and rookie Hiroku Kondo.

In 2008, Suzuki repulsed Mamiit, 7-5, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2, and Soeda downed P.J. Tierro, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. Suzuki and Soeda teamed up to turn back Mamiit and Eric Taino, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 6-4.

Villanueva said he expects another epic duel.

 “It’ll be a close tie,” he noted. “Cecil and Treat have been preparing by playing tournaments abroad. Last November, Cecil beat Soeda, 6-4, 6-2, at a challenger event in Calabasas, California. Treat has been playing amazing doubles lately with his ranking at a career-high 144 in the world. His singles game is also improving. In Laos, Treat defeated the reigning Asian Games champion Danai Udomchoke of Thailand. The Japanese are ranked higher than us in the world but in Davis Cup play, if you’re competing for your country, the ratings aren’t as important because it’s all about heart and that’s what our guys have - a big heart to win for our country.”

Villanueva said Arcilla has been untouchable in local tournaments and already won two this year. Alcantara saw action at the Australian Open juniors and reached the semifinals of a Group I International Tennis Federation junior event.

Mamiit arrived in Manila last Tuesday and Huey the other day to rendezvous with Arcilla and Alcantara. The team leaves for Osaka tomorrow and will practice on the Namihaya fast carpet starting Monday.

Villanueva said at least 30 Filipino supporters, led by team manager Jean Henri Lhuillier and his wife Bea, are flying to Osaka to cheer for the Filipinos. Philippine Sports Commission chairman Harry Angping has been invited to head the delegation. Philta president Lito Villanueva will also join the group.

 “The support from chairman Angping has been invaluable,” said Villanueva. “Just to send a team to Japan sets you back about P1.5 to P2 million. Without the support of Cebuana Lhuillier and the PSC, it wouldn’t be possible to bring our team to Osaka.”