RP netters open Cup bid versus Kuwaitis

The Philippines tries to remain in Group 2 of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone when it faces Kuwait in the playoff starting at 1 p.m. today at the Philippine Columbian Association covered courts.

The Philippines’ No. 1 Johnny Arcilla faces Kuwait No. 2 Mosaad Al-Jazzaf in the first singles match and No. 2 Adelo Abadia meets Mohammad Al-Ghareeb in the second singles.

Arcilla and Abadia were drawn to play in the doubles on Saturday against Husain Al-Ashwak and Ghareeb.

On Sunday, Arcilla will meet Ghareeb in the first singles and Abadia will tackle Al-Jazzaf in the second singles.

The two other players in the RP team are Joseph Victorino and Michael Mora III while Kuwait has Mohammad Al-Foudari.

International Tennis Federation (ITF) referee Shen Ming Jang of Chinese Taipei made the draw in the presence of Kuwait Ambassador Ibrahim Almuhanna, House Committee on Youth and Sports chairman Monico Puentevella and Philippine Tennis Association officials led by president Salvador Andrada.

"Both teams have prepared and we expect very interesting and good matches," said former Davis Cupper and now RP team captain Johnny Jose after the draw held at the Manila Midtown Hotel.

"After coming home from Kazakhstan last February, our players have resumed their training. They’ll give the Kuwaitis a good fight," added Jose, an Asian Games gold medalist.

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

Mora, who replaced Arcilla in the final singles, defeated Dmitri 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 Al-Ghareeb scoring their lone victory with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 win over Yu Wang.