Taiwan plays sans aces vs Phl side

LAPU LAPU CITY, Cebu, Philippines – Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippines Davis Cup team got a big boost in its duel with Chinese-Taipei after the visiting netters came in minus two of their ace players in their Asia-Oceania Davis Cup Group I tie starting tomorrow at the 1,500-seater Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa courts here.

The Filipinos also got a big boost after Chinese-Taipei’s top players, Lu Yen Shun and Yang Tsung Hua decided not to join the team to compete in the Challenger tournament in China, also slated this week.

Taking over are Ti Chen and Jimmy Wang, who will be joined by Lee Hsin Han and Yi Chu Huan. The Taiwanese delegation arrived Monday night.

“Our focus is winning this event,” said skipper Fil-Am Cecil Mamiit.

He is tipped to play in one of the first two singles matches with fellow Fil-Am Treat Huey, who is also expected to see action in the doubles event on Saturday where he is more comfortable with, having ranked No. 59 in the world.

The other members of the team are rookies Ruben Gonzales and Jeson Patrombon, ranked in the Top 10 in the world juniors.

“We’re confident of our chances, the team will ride hard on every advantage we could get,” said Phl Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva.

With Yang leading the team last year, the Filipinos lost to the Taiwanese, 1-4, their first defeat after winning their first four Davis Cup encounters.

Yang downed Huey, 6-3, 7-6(5), 7-6(5), in the first singles match, teamed up with Yi in the doubles, 6-3, 7-5, 6-7(3), 7-6(6), before clinching the tie with a pulsating marathon 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 decision over Mamiit in reverse singles.

Taipei’s lone loss came when Chen retired while trailing Mamiit, 6-3, 3-6, 1-4, in the second singles match.

“It was actually a close match that could’ve gone our way,” said Mamiit, whose team’s campaign is backed by team manager Jean Henri Lhuillier of Cebuana Lhuillier, the Philippine Sports Commission, Slazenger-Wimbledon, Philippine Tennis Association and Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa managed by Efren Belarmino.

The drawing of lots is set at the Lapu Lapu City Hall today with host Mayor Paza Radaza presiding over the simple ceremony.

Action unfolds tomorrow with the singles matches with the doubles set Saturday. The reverse singles matches will be played Sunday.

Villanueva said it would be a psychological boost if the Filipinos could win the first match.

“It would hinge on how we would perform on the first day,” said Villanueva.

The Filipinos are hoping to bank on the home-court edge, including their familiarity with the outdoor clay courts, the hometown crowd and the humid weather.

Mamiit and the rest of the team have been practicing on the slow surface for more than a week now. They also played here last March against Japan, which rolled to a 4-1 rout.

Mamiit and company hope to get more fan support and prayers to overcome a tough Chinese-Taipei squad.

“We’re relying on the support of our countrymen on this,” said Villanueva.