Cebu fans cheer for other side

LAPU-LAPU City, Philippines  – A big group of Filipinos mostly clad in red shirts came in to cheer in the Davis Cup- Asia/Oceania Group I relegation tie at Plantation Bay Resort and Spa here yesterday  not for the country’s bets, but for the opposing Chinese-Taipei squad.

It has stirred negative reaction from fellow Pinoys who are rooting for the Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine team.

The group, however, had no choice but to support the Taiwanese since they are employees of two Lapu-Lapu-based companies, Formosa and Headway, whose big bosses are said to be Chinese-Taipei nationals.

“Our bosses are Taiwanese. It’s ironic indeed that we have to support them, but we have to,” said one who refused to be identified.

They get paid for watching with a bonus to boot depending on the result of the tie Sunday. They were supposed to report for work yesterday, but came here to cheer for the Taiwanese players.

* * *

The first day attendance was fewer than the RP-Japan tie opening day last March with less than a thousand coming to watch.

Organizers and some of the resort staff were even worried after only a handful of spectators showed up at the bleachers at the start of the first singles match until the Chinese-Taipei supporters came to fill in the venue.

Councilor Harry Radaza said the event failed to generate much interest because this is the second time in seven months that the Davis Cup is held in the city.

* * *

Former Ambassador Philip Lhuillier likens the RP Davis Cup team to his own company, the Cebuana Lhuillier pawnshop – from being “small-time” to becoming big-time one day.

Lhuillier recalls that before Cebuana Lhuillier became one of the country’s leading pawnshop chains, they had to work hard to be successful.

Lhuillier, however, commends the RP team for going this far in the Davis Cup. To be a Davis Cupper is not an easy one, it is an honor that a tennis player will bring with him even after he retires.

Lhuillier, in behalf of the RP team’s main sponsor, Cebuana Lhuillier, has reiterated his all-out support to the team.

“Cebuana Lhuillier will continue to support the team as long as it takes until you reach your goal, “said Lhuillier to the players before the tie.

The RP Davis Cup team’s highest placing in the event was in the world group in 1991.