PHL-Japan Davis Cup draw today

CEBU, Philippines - Who plays who in the highly-anticipated Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group 1 tie between host Philippines and Japan will be known in today's crucial draw at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall. The three-day event is set from March 4 to 6 at Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.

Usually, the top player of a team faces the second-ranked player of the opposing squad and vice versa.

Also to be known today is to who will play in the first singles and the second singles.

There will be two rubbers in the opening day, two singles and doubles in the second day and the final day for the reverse singles.

In PHL's last action against Japan in Osaka, Treat Huey played the first singles against Tatsuma Ito wherein the Fil-Am netter lost in five sets, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

In the second singles,Cecil Mamiit fought and lost in four sets against Go Soeda, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

Both Ito and Soeda are still in the Japanese lineup.

Japan, which scored a 5-0 shutout of PHL in their previous encounter, parades the same roster except for Yuichi Sugita.

The same goes to the PHL's lineup save for Vicente Elberto Anasta, a substitute for Niño Alcantara who is currently under a scholarship program at Fresno State University.

Patrick John Tierro is placed in the reserve list although Philippines Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva said earlier Tierro might be able to play if he performs well during the training.

Mamiit and Huey can also play all the way to the doubles just like last year.

However, Manila-based Cebuano Johnny Arcilla is also expected to team up with Mamiit in the doubles.

A win by the Philippines would mean a closer chance to be in the World Group again.The last time the country made it to such level was in 1991.

If victorious against Japan, the PHL will be face next either Uzbekistan or New Zealand. (FREEMAN)