PHL confident of beating Chinese-Taipei in Davis Cup tie

CEBU, Philippines - The organizers of the Davis Cup relegation playoff of the Asia/Oceania Group I tie between the Philippines and Chinese-Taipei at Plantation Bay Resort and Spa on September 16 to 18 are upbeat on PHL's.

winning chances because of the international exposure the Pinoys are enjoying right now.

Treat Condrad Huey is currently playing in the men’s doubles of the US Open along with Somdev Devvarman. They beat 14th seed players from Argentina during the second round and are set to play fourth seed Indians Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes today.

Even Cecil Mamiit played during the playoffs of the US Open as part of his preparations for the said event.

Ruben Gonzales, for his part, recently won a men’s Futures event in Italy, fourth possible nomination, Jeson Patrombon, has just competed in Mexico and earned more ATP points out of.

Prior to that, they been playing in major competitions abroad, making them more prepared and exposed to international battle as compared to their previous match against Japan.

Johnny Arcilla, the top Pinoy bet minus the Fil-foreign players that have been named to the team, may not have gone abroad lately but he has been playing in different national competitions that kept him in top shape.

Randy Villanueva, the country's Davis Cup administrator, said the international exposure of the Pinoys will surely be a big factor to be the Taiwanese.

Mamiit and Arcilla are scheduled to arrive in Lapu-Lapu on the 10th, Patrombon on the 11th while the Huey and Gonzales on the 12th, same dayas the Chinese-Taipei delegation.

A meet-and-greet session with the fans is scheduled on the 11th with Mamiit, Arcilla and Patrombon at the Lapu-Lapu City tennis courts.

The drawing of lots will be done on the 15th at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall, while games proper begin on the 16th with the first two singles. The doubles match will be on the 17th, while the last day is for the reverse singles.

The Philippines boasts of a 4-1 head-to-head record in five Davis Cup meetings against Chinese-Taipei.

Meanwhile, ticket prices have been lowered from P500 to P200 daily and a season ticket of P500 plus a free shuttle from Cebu City to the venue.  (FREEMAN)