RP Davis Cuppers bow to Taiwanese pair

MANILA, Philippines - Chinese-Taipei put the Philippines on the brink as the pair of Tsung-Hua Yang and Chu-Huan Yi disposed of Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey, 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (6), for a 2-1 lead yesterday in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group I playoff tie in Kaohsiung.

The host Taiwanese took the first two sets then parried the Filipino Cuppers’ comeback charge to come out victorious after a tough three-hour, 30-minute battle at the Yang-Ming Tennis Center.

“The boys gave their best, but they just didn’t get the chances,” reported Philippine Lawn Tennis Association vice president and RP Davis Cup team coordinator Randy Villanueva.

With the doubles setback, the Cebuana Lhuillier RP Davis Cup team now faces a must-win situation in today’s first reverse singles pitting playing captain Mamiit against Yang. Should the reigning Southeast Asian Games champ prevail over former world junior No. 1 Yang, Huey will get the opportunity to win the tie for the Philippines against Ti Chen in the second reverse singles.

“This will be a crucial singles for Mamiit. I think Treat Huey can handle the fifth game if Mamiit wins his reverse singles,” Villanueva said.

The Philippines and Chinese-Taipei split their first two singles showdown Friday with Yang beating Huey, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5), and Mamiit outlasting Chen, 3-6, 6-3, 4-1 (retired).

The Filipinos and the Taiwanese are both aiming to keep their spots in Group I. Winner of the showdown will stay in the uppermost bracket for 2011 while the loser will go down to a relegation tie with either Korea or Uzbekistan, where the vanquished will plummet to Group II next year.