Phl-Japan Davis Cup tie: Pinoy netters to bank on home edge

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is pinning its hopes on all the advantages it could get in playing on its homecourt against a Japan team it hopes to beat for the first time in their Asia Oceania Zone Davis Cup Group I tie unfurling on Friday at the Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

“We’re not predicting winning or losing but we know the match is going to be a close one,” said RP Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva.

“We’re going to make it more difficult for them this time,” he added.

The Phl side, headed by Fil-Ams Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey, hopes to cash in on the advantages as host of the tie, including the home court edge, the crowd factor and its familiarity with the outdoor clay courts.

The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Nationals bowed to the Japanese in their last three Davis Cup faceoffs, including a 0-5 defeat in Osaka last year.

Mamiit and Huey, however, are hopeful of their chances with locals Johnny Arcilla, Elbert Anasta and reserve Patrick John Tierro backing up the squad. They will be gunning for a first Davis Cup win against Japan after dropping all 15 matches in three ties, including four that went the five-set route.

The Japanese, composed of Go Soeda, Yuichi Sugita, Tatsuma Ito and Takao Suzuki, flew in Friday but only got the feel off the surface yesterday after their scheduled first practice round was rained out Sunday.

The Filipinos have been training on the same surface for around two weeks now while the visiting squad still has three more days to familiarize themselves with the clay court.

The Phl netters also hope to draw inspiration from the local fans tipped to pack the 1,500-seater venue. Two big screens will also be installed outside of the site to accommodate the expected big number of spectators.

“From a rainy Sunday, it’s a little bit windy now. We’re hoping it will be hotter because we know it will be to our advantage if it really gets hot,” said Villanueva.

Mamiit and Huey are expected to play in the first two singles matches on Friday as well as doubles the next day and the reverse singles, if necessary, on Sunday. The drawing of lots will be held Thursday.