For The First Time Cebu to host Davis Cup tie

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebuanos finally get to savor a bit of Davis Cup tie action as Lapu-Lapu City plays host of the Philippines-Japan battle at the Plantation Bay in Mactan Island on March 4 to 7.

The event was formally launched at Plantation Bay yesterday, with Lapu-Lapu mayor Paz Padaza, councilor Harry Radaza, Davis Cup Philippines administrator Randy Villanueva, Plantation Bay general-manager Efren Belarmino and RP team captain Cecil Mamiit gracing the event.

This will be the first time that an action under the country’s hosting of the Asia/Oceana Zone of the Davis Cup will be done outside Manila.

After making it to group 1 of the Asia/Oceana Zone through a dramatic victory over Korea last month at the latter’s turf, the Philippines gets to face Japan anew.

It has been 15 years now that the RP team had beaten Japan.The last time the RP squad won against the Japanese tennisters was during the time of Robert “Bobbie” Angelo and Joseph “Poppet” Lizardo.

In the RP-Japan duel, one of the team members expected to see action will be the half-Cebuano Johnny Arcilla although skipper Cecil Mamiit said the their current line up may not be the same for next year’s action.

Arcilla earlier told The Freeman though that he will do his best to be in the team and be part of the history.

“It’s still four months to go before the Davis Cup.There’s still the Asian Games, the PCA Open.It’s too early to tell who will be playing for the RP team,” Mamiit said.

A try out may also take place for the RP Davis Cup line-up.

One thing for sure though, the Philippines hopes to form a very strong line up as a win against Japan does not only mean breaking a jinx, but could lead to entering into the World group.

The Davis Cup started as a challenge between Great Britain and the United States in 1900. It grew to become the world’s premiere men’s team competition with over134 nations entered as of 2005.

The world's 16 best national teams will form the World Group.To be in the world group, one has to compete in one of three regional zones (Americas, Asia/Oceania, and Europe/Africa). (FREEMAN)