RP Davis Cuppers lead Pakistanis, 2-1

Cecil Mamiit and Eric Taino gave their fans a big reason to cheer yesterday by winning their doubles match against Pakistan’s Aqeel Khan and Asim Shafik at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

The crowd that braved the afternoon heat got what they came for as the Philippines moved up, 2-1, in their best-of-five Asia Oceania Group 2 Davis Cup tie where a Group 1 slot for next year is at stake.

Mamiit and Taino, bronze medalists in doubles of the 2006 Doha Asian Games, needed two hours, 40 minutes, some luck and a lot of egging from the crowd to pull off the 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 victory.

Mamiit and Taino, a pair of Fil-Americans who have brought new life to Philippine tennis over the last couple of years, will be back on the court at 10 a.m. today for the reverse singles.

Mamiit takes on Aqeel in the first match, hoping for the clincher and at the same time avenge Taino’s bitter loss to the Pakistani skipper in Friday’s opening singles.

A victory by Mamiit over Aqeel will leave Taino’s match against Jalil Khan a non-bearing affair.

A loss by Mamiit, however, will lead to a dramatic finish.

"I love drama," joked Mamiit.

"I’d like to get revenge for Eric. And I will come out firing. I hope the crowd continues to show up. We’re gonna need them," said Mamiit, only in his second Davis Cup like Taino.

Johnny Arcilla and PJ Tierro were supposed to play in yesterday’s doubles, but RP team head coach Martin Misa opted to field the Fil-Ams just to ensure a victory and a crucial 2-1 edge.

"I got off to a slow start and I got frustrated. But Cecil kept us in the match. Tomorrow will be a good day. And Cecil will lead us off once again," said Taino, a lefty.

After taking a 2-0 lead, the Filipinos dropped the opening set that needed 55 minutes to finish. But they regrouped in the second and built their confidence in the third.

In the fourth and final set, it was clear who the better pair was. And during a short break, Mamiit broke into his famous jiggle. He wrapped up the match with a service winner, then danced to the music.