RP netters face Kuwaitis in crucial Davis Cup tie

Tennis takes center stage this week as the Philippines plays host to the Davis Cup Asia-Ocenia Zone Group 2 playoff and the Mitsubishi International Juniors Championships.

National players Joseph Victorino, Johnny Arcilla, Adelo Abadia and Michael Mora III will try to keep the Philippines’ spot in Group 2 when they challenge the Kuwait team of Mohammad Al-Ghareeb, Mosaad Al-Jazzaf, Mohamad Al-Foudari and Hussain Al-Ashwak in the Davis Cup playoff slated April 5-7 at the Philippine Columbian Association covered courts.

"The boys are ready. They have been training since February," said RP team captain Johnny Jose.

The Philippines fell into the playoff round against Kuwait after losing to Kazakhstan, 1-4, in the first round held Feb. 8-10 in Almanty, Kazakhstan.

On the first day, Victorino succumbed to Dias Doskarayev, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 0-6 and Arcilla bowed to Alexey Kedrijuk, 2-6, 2-6, 6-4, 3-6.

The next day, Abadia and Arcilla fell to Doskarayev and Kedrijuk, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (5), 7-9 and finally, on the last day, Victorino lost to Anton Tsymbalov, 2-6, 6-3, 5-7 before Mora, who replaced Arcilla in the final singles, defeated Dmitriy Makeyev, 7-6 (2), 6-4, for the Philippines’ lone win in the best-of-five tie.

Kuwait, on the other hand, lost to China by an identical score, 1-4, with their top player Mohammad Al-Ghareeb scoring their lone victory with a straight-set 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 win over Yu Wang.

In accordance with the International Tennis Federation Davis Cup regulation, the Philippine Tennis Association announced that the draw ceremony of the Davis Cup will be held April 4, 10 a.m. at the Manila Midtown Hotel Binondo room.

Kuwait Ambassador Ibrahim Almuhanna will join Congressman Monico Puentevella, chairman House Committee on Youth and Sports, when ITF referee Shen Ming Jang makes the draw. The welcome remarks will be given by Philta president Salvador Andrada.

A welcome dinner will be hosted on the same night at the Midtown’s Intramuros room in which Philippine Sports Commission chairman Eric Buhain will also deliver short remarks along with the Kuwait ambassador and Puentevella.

The Davis Cup opening ceremony is slated April 5, 12:30 p.m. at the PCA covered courts and will be attended by members of both teams, the Kuwait ambassador and Buhain.