Netters have edge on crowd, surface

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is raring to get back at Chinese Taipei in their upcoming Asia Oceania Zone Davis Cup Group I playoff tie, vowing to make full use of its built-in court advantage at the Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa in Lapu Lapu City, Cebu.

“Aside from the home crowd, the court surface will be to our advantage. We are already comfortable playing here,” said Fil-Am Cecil Mamiit, the country’s playing team captain and long-time leader.

The tie starts Friday.

Backing up Mamiit is doubles specialist Treat Huey and Davis Cup rookie Ruben Gonzalez and Jeson Patrombon with Johnny Arcilla as reserve.

The young Chinese Taipei squad, which arrived yesterday, is made up of Ti Chen, Jimmy Wang, Lee Hsin-Han, Yi Chu-Huan and non-playing team captain Tsai Chia-Yen.

Roster changes, however, can still be made an hour before Thursday’s drawing of lots.

Although Mamiit and company bowed to the powerhouse Japanese in their Group I tie last March, also at the clay courts of Plantation Bay courts, the Filipino netters are confident they can get the job done this time against the Taiwanese.

“What we need now is for the sun to come out and make it hotter, no rains please,” said Phl Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva.

Mamiit knows it will be one tough grind facing the Taiwanese, who beat them, 1-4, in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei last July.

It was the Philippines’ first loss to Taipei after the former swept its first four Davis Cup ties.

“It will be a tough task, but we are looking forward in competing and giving a good fight against Taiwan,” said Mamiit.

“We’re actually trying to avenge our loss to Taiwan after losing in the Asian Games,” said Mamiit, referring to their quarterfinal loss against the top-seeded Taipei in the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.