RP Cuppers face Koreans in crucial tie

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Davis Cup team leaves for Changwon, South Korea today for its crucial tie against its Korean counterpart as it bids to remain in Group I of the Asia-Oceania Zone of the world’s most prestigious series.

The team, sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier and headed by bemedalled Fil-American Cecil Mamiit, is highly confident of victory as it tries to avoid dropping back to Group II, according to Randy Villanueva, Philippine Tennis Association vice president and Davis Cup team administrator.

“The meeting (Sept. 17-19), also known as a Relegation Tie, is very important for us in the sense that a loss, which will come on the heels of our similar setbacks to Japan and Chinese Taipei, will relegate us anew to Group II,” Villanueva said during Friday’s SCOOP Sa Kamayan weekly session at the Kamayan Restaurant-Padre Faura.

“It is, in fact, very crucial compared to our three victories over Hongkong, Pakistan and New Zealand last year because, while those victories promoted us to our present grouping, our defeat here will have an effect all of us on the team wouldn’t like to happen,” Villanueva stressed during the forum, sponsored by Mang Inasal, PLDT and FILA.

“Cecil himself doesn’t want to go back to Group II, especially because it is through his heroics that we were able to regain our slot in Group I, “ he added, in reference to Mamiit’s efforts to power the Philippines to Group I from Group II since he first represented the country in the Davis Cup tie in 2006.     

Mamiit, who came with Villanueva to the session along with teammate Elbert Anasta and Cebuana Lhuillier’s Danny Francisco, agreed, saying he has prepared for this tie against the Koreans like he never did before.

“Yeah, I’m better prepared now than in my previous stints in the Davis Cup and other tournaments carrying the country’s colors,” said Mamiit, who arrived in Manila last Wednesday.

“Besides coming from the US Summer Tour, I have been involved in cross training, running the sprints and middle distances to strengthen my legs,” Mamiit said, referring to his stints in tournaments in New York and Vancouver. where his other teammate Treat Huey also took part.

Huey is currently in Spain, and will be joining the team in Changwon from there, said Mamiit.        

Villanueva said that while the Korean lineup is made up of players ranked no lower than 300th in the world, Mamiit and company will be banking on their experience in Davis Cup Tie matches.

“In any tie, the doubles match is important, and I think with Huey’s improving performance, we’re getting ahead of our preparations,” Mamiit said.

Mamiit added the presence of Anasta, who replaced Fil-Am Ruben Gonzales in this tie, is also a big advantage.

“He’s the best workhorse I’ve ever seen. He shows professionalism, he’s hardworking. I think he could be our lucky charm in this tie,” Mamiit said of Anasta who will be p[laying in only his second Davis Cup tie.