Veterans Arcilla, Anasta complete Phl Davis Cup team

MANILA, Philippines – Veterans Johnny Arcilla and Elbert Anasta, not younger Jeson Patrombon and Francis Casey Alcantara, will join Fil-Ams Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales when the Phl takes on Syria in their Asia Oceania Group II Davis Cup tie from Feb 1-3 at the posh Plantation Bay in Lapu Lapu City, Cebu.

Phl Davis Cup administrator and Phl Tennis Association vice president Randy Villanueva made the announcement today as the Filipinos start their preparation in their road back to Group I.

"It's Huey, Gonzales, Arcilla and Anasta," said Villanueva.

Arcilla, who will turn 33 next month, made it to the squad after snaring a record seventh title in the Phl Columbian Open in December last year over a field that included Huey and Gonzales themselves, Fil-German Marc Sieber, a former champion in the annual meet, Patrombon and Alcantara.

As for Anasta, he will be making a return to the team after a semifinal finish in the PCA Open and for topping the Olivarez Cup late last year.

Interestingly, the Davis Cup will return to the Plantation Bay for the third time after the resort got the Philta's nod following the recent decision to give the Davis Cup hosting to the Filipinos from Syria.

The Filipino Davis Cuppers saw action at the Plantation Bay in defeats to the Japan and Chinese Taipei teams the last two years.

"We're ready, excited as well as honored to host the Phl in a Davis Cup tie again," said Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa general manager Efren Belarmino.

The Phl narrowly missed out on promotion last year as it made it all the way to the finals thanks to victories over Pacific Oceania in Iriga City and Pakistan at the PCA's Plaza Dilao indoor courts.

But the Filipinos lost to the Indonesians, 2-3, in the finals in Jakarta, Indonesia that cost them the chance to regain its old place in Group I they last occupied three years back.