Underdog Phl Cuppers out to defy odds

LAPU LAPU CITY, Philippines – Faced with the daunting task of breaking Japan’s domination in their Davis Cup tie, the Philippines remains confident of its chances but it has to stay focused to overcome their fancied rivals.

“We know we are capable of beating them and I more than believe that our team can beat the odds,” said Phl Davis Cup squad coach Chris Cuarto two days before their highly anticipated match with the heavily favored Japanese in the Asia Oceania Zone Group I first round tie at the Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa here.

The Philippines has never beaten Japan in their last three Davis Cup tie face-offs, including a 0-5 shutout in Osaka last year.

“But if we play tougher and be more focused, anything is possible,” said Cuarto.

Fil-Ams Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey along with fellow members Johnny Arcilla and Elbert Anasta and reserve Patrick John Tierro are raring to get back at their tormentors.

The Filipinos, backed by Cebuana Lhuillier owner and team manager Jean Henri Lhuillier, are hoping to snatch a victory in the opening singles for the much needed psychological edge.

“It would be a psychological boost if we could snatch a win in one of the two singles matches or maybe both so everything would really hinge on how our team would perform on the first day,” said Cuarto.

Mamiit and Huey are expected to play in the first two singles matches of the best-of-five, three-day tie and could go all the way in the doubles and reverse singles should the Filipino netters be able to stay in contention.

Japan will be bannered by practically the same team that beat the Philippines last year, including Tatsuma Ito, Go Soeda and Takao Suzuki. Suichi Yugita is the other player.

The official drawing of lots will be held at 10 a.m. today.

The Filipinos are hoping to bank on the homecourt edge, including their familiarity with the outdoor clay courts, the hometown crowd and the humid weather, which the hosts hope to be hot by weekend.

Mamiit and the rest of the team have been practicing on the slow surface for more than two weeks now while the Japanese have trained for three days.

Meanwhile, the bulk of the 1,500 tickets – priced at P500, P2,500 and P5,000 – have already been sold out with the rest to be made available for walk-in patrons on game days.

RP Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva, however, said those who couldn’t avail themselves of tickets could watch the games outside of the venue where big monitors will be put in place or on TV5 live.

“We’re relying on the support of our countrymen on this, our players are drawing strength from them,” said Villanueva.