Phl Davis Cuppers hone up in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Davis Cup team hopes to toughen up in time for its much-awaited rematch with Chinese Taipei in the Asia-Oceania Group I tie beginning Friday at the Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

Fil-Ams Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey, Ruben Gonzalez, Jeson Patrombon and reserve Johnny Arcilla are now in Cebu for a series of exhibition games as they try to re-familiarize themselves with the court conditions after their 1-4 debacle to the Japanese last March.

“The team is working hard and we know in our first experience here that the conditions here can sometimes help us,” said Phl Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva.

Villanueva was referring to the clay courts especially made to suit the Filipinos’ games with Mamiit and company also to bank on the crowd support during the three-day tie.

Mamiit and Huey, meanwhile, are reportedly set to play with Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia and Lapu Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza in another exhibition game on top of Marcelo Fernan Bridge where traffic would be stopped for 30 minutes.

The Phl Davis Cuppers are out to avenge their 1-4 setback to the Taiwanese in another Group I match in last year in Chinese Taipei.

But another loss would send the Philippines to Group II for the first time since reaching Group I last year. The Taiwanese, meanwhile, have been a top force in Group I the last six years and don’t intend to slide into Group II.

Chinese Taipei is made up of Ti Chen, Jimmy Wang, Hsin Han Lee and Chu Huan Yi.