Phl-German eyed for Davis Cup team vs New Zealand

LAPU LAPU CITY, Philippines – Reeling from another setback to powerhouse Japan in their Asia-Oceania Davis Cup Group I tie, Team Philippines expressed hopes of tapping Fil-German Marc Sieber when it sets out against New Zealand in its upcoming Group I encounter in July.

“We need Marc Sieber,” said Phl team coach Chris Cuarto, referring to the 22-year-old Sieber who ruled last year’s PCA Open in Paco, Manila, beating many-time champion Johnny Arcilla.

Cuarto, whose charges bowed to the Japanese for the fourth straight time, 1-3, after their last game was not played, said he’s optimistic Sieber’s papers would be arranged in time for him to be eligible to play in their match against the Kiwis in New Zealand.

“There’s a strong possibility that Sieber would play for us against New Zealand since our good president is already talking to people to facilitate the processing of his papers,” said Cuarto, referring to Philta chief and Parañaque Rep. Edwin Olivarez.

The need for a reinforcement came to light after fatigue slowed down top player Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey, who had to do it all in the team’s bid to get back at the Japanese.

The 34-year-old Mamiit just couldn’t keep up with the younger Japan No. 1 Go Soeda in the first of two reverse singles matches after the former played a total of 12 sets and about 12 hours of grueling tennis in the last three days.

Huey, the best-ranked doubles player here with a world ranking of 101, had opted to sit out the second singles match to rest his ailing knee. Johnny Arcilla took over but absorbed a three-set drubbing from Go.

“Hopefully with Marc (Sieber) we’ll get to be tougher in our next tie,” said RP Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva.

Jeson Patrombon, ranked in the elite Top 10 in the junior rankings, is also being considered to beef up the squad.

The left-handed Sieber, who grew up in Straubing, Germany, topped a pair of futures tournaments in Germany and Bosnia two years ago and reached the semifinals in a Czech Republic tournament before making it to the finals in Portugal last year.