"We’ve confirmed that Cecil Mamiit and Eric Taino are coming to represent the country, and our softball teams have been preparing extra hard for the Games," the former US NCAA Division 1 tennis player told The Star.
Mamiit, ranked 207th in the world, bears the disctinction of being one of only three players to have won the US NCAA title in their freshman year. Taino, meanwhile, has beaten top SEA Games rivals in international competitions, and is a respected doubles player.
"With Cecil and Eric coming in, we’re confident our efforts will provide at least five gold medals for both sports," said Lhuillier, who only came abroad a few weeks ago. The sportsman has a long successful track record both as an athlete and patron of basketball, tennis and softball teams, particularly in slo-pitch softball. He was also the owner of the national finalist Cebuana Lhuillier Gems in the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association, or MBA.
Mamiit and Taino will arrive a week before the Games, and will stay afterwards to conduct tennis clinics for deserving youth.
"Last time, we also had tough draws," Lhuillier said. "This time around, things look good for us. We’ve also eliminated the obstacles that have kept them from playing for the Philippines. And Cecil and Eric are good guys."
The women’s tennis team also includes local standout Czarina Mae Arevalo, Fil-Ams Denise Dy, Ma. Riza Angela Zalameda, and 15-year-old Fil-German Anja Vanessa Peter. Thailand is considered RP’s toughest opponent in the sport.
In softball, Lhuillier said, with Indonesia providing the biggest obstacle, our teams will most likely win at least one of the two gold medals staked.
"In softball, it’s all about seeing the pitch," said Lhuillier, who, as a player, has won international titles in slo-pitch softball.
However, he said Indonesia looms as RP clouters tough opponent with Indons, reportedly honing up in New Zealand against top club teams.
Lhuillier said that the women’s team is fancied to prevail against Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.