Philippine Lawn Tennis Association seeks transfer of Davis Cup venue

MANILA, Philippines - Citing security reasons, the Philippine Lawn Tennis Association (Philta) recently asked the International Tennis Federation to move the Filipinos’ Davis Cup semifinal match with the Pakistanis from Pakistan to a neutral country.

“The Philta board decided to file an appeal,” said Philta vice president Randy Villanueva in yesterday’s victory luncheon with team sponsor Cebuana Lhuillier in Makati City.

“It happened in the past but this might be the first time it will happen concerning the Philippines,” he said.

RP was concerned over recent news involving terrorists attacks in Pakistan, the latest of which was the ambush of the Sri Lankan national cricket team in Lahore where eight were reported killed and some players injured.

Because of the incident, the ITF decided to stage the Pakistan-Oman tie in Oman.

The Philippines also wants to move the RP-Pakistan match on July 10-12 to another venue too.

Villanueva said they’ve already sent their appeal and they expect a response in two weeks time.

Philta also bared plans to form a pool that would contest the last two of four slots in the RP team.

Fil-Ams Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey were already assured of slots in the squad based on their higher rankings in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) rankings and experience in the international competition.

The rest – former RP No. 1 Johnny Arcilla, La Salle’s Patrick John Tierro, teener Francis Casey Alcantara and age-group standout Jeson Patrombon – will have to fight it out for the two other berths.