LAPU-LAPU CITY – Johnny Arcilla and Ruben Gonzales took care of business as the Philippines seized an imposing 2-0 upperhand against Syria in the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group II first-round tie Friday night at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa here.
Arcilla overcame a second-set meltdown to eke out a 6-4, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 triumph over Syria's top netter Issam Taweel then Gonzales outlasted Marc Abdelnour, 6-4, 7-6 (1), 6-2, to give the hosts an commanding headstart.
The Cebuana Lhuillier-Phl Davis Cup team will gun for the clincher Saturday night in the doubles match, with Treat Huey and Elbert Anasta initially nominated against Syrian nominees Abdelnour and Madji Salim.
"It's a good start for us, it puts us in a good position going into the doubles," said non-playing captain Roland Kraut, who has the option to make lineup changes one hour before Saturday's 6 p.m. doubles match.
Arcilla got off to a blazing start, not letting the 20-minute rain delay hinder his charge in taking the first set. He seized a 4-1 lead in the second set, but the pride of Butuan momentarily let his guard down, allowing the Syrian to snatch the set and draw level.
"I relaxed (when I got up, 4-1), thinking I already had it in the bag. One mistake and he broke serve and went all the way to win the second set," the 33-year-old netter admitted in Filipino.
It served as a wakeup call for Arcilla, who made some adjustments in pace and unloaded a variety of shots from there to seize control and force the world 925th Taweel to a series of unforced errors.
"Coach (Kraut) told me to slow it down because he (Taweel) wanted to make quick kills. I tried to extend the rallies and also mix my shots," said Arcilla.
Arcilla has now won his fifth consecutive match in the Davis Cup.
Gonzales, the Phl No. 1, blew a 4-0 lead in the second frame and was forced to a 6-6 standoff,. But he regained his bearing to beat Abdelnour in the tiebreak, 7-1, and sustained it from there to prevail in the match that featured long rallies and net battles.
The Phl-Syria Davis Cup tie is supported by Smart Sports, Cebuana Lhuillier, Yonnex, Jober, Philippine Sports Commission, Jober Electronics, and Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.