Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I Tie: Japanese ready to fight against all odds

CEBU, Philippines -  The Philippine team enjoys the full support of their 'kababayans', banks on a hot weather condition and holds a slight advantage on clay courts but the Japanese netters are ready for any circumstances when they clash with the host Pinoys in the keenly-awaited Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group 1 tie at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa on March 4 to 6.

“In any situation, we look for solution,” said the Japanese team captain Eiji Takeuchi yesterday.

Although the skies cleared up already yesterday, the visiting Japanese forces are anticipating the weather to go hot and they’re ready for it.

“We don’t know yet (as to how hot it’s going to be) but it must be hot. We already felt the humidity here and we have to get used to it,” added Takeuchi, a former Davis Cupper who is now Japan's non-playing skipper. They still have three days left to get acclimatized here.

As to the playing surface that will be used in the three-day joust, the Japanese are also ready for it even if their players are used to playing on hard courts.

Since it is winter in Japan right now, the Japanese said they hold trainings in indoor clay tennis center with air conditioning that can be adjusted on either hot or cold weather depending on where they will be playing in.

Takeuchi, meanwhile, noted that the court at Plantation is even better than the one they played in Manila before.

“In Manila, they use special clay made of shell. Here, it’s like what we have in Japan,” Takeuchi said.

Takao Suzuki, one of the nominated players for the upcoming tie who has a clay court experience, share the same observation, saying that the playing court is a very nice one and even if it rains hard, it will be playable again in a matter of short time.

 As to the "homecourt" advantage of the Pinoys, the Japanese players are also appealing to their fellow countrymen who are based in Cebu to come and support their cause.

“The situation is tough here but we are ready for it,” said Japan coach Kentoro Maguda.

Knowing the Japanese are prepared for any given situation, the PHL bets composed of Cecil Mamiit, Treat Huey, Johnny Arcilla and Vicente Elbert Anasta are left with no choice but to be in their best as they face a difficult task of defending their turf. (FREEMAN NEWS)