MANILA, Philippines - Veterans Johnny Arcilla and Enebert Anasta and not the younger pair of Jeson Patrombon and Francis Casey Alcantara will backstop Fil-Ams Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales when the Philippines takes on Syria in their Asia Oceania Group II Davis Cup tie on Feb 1-3 at Plantation Bay in Lapu Lapu City, Cebu.
Phl Davis Cup administrator and Philippine Tennis Association vice president Randy Villanueva made the announcement yesterday as the Filipino netters start their preparation in their drive back to Group I against the unfancied Syrians.
“It’s Huey, Gonzales, Arcilla and Anasta,†said Villanueva.
Arcilla, who will turn 33 next month, made it to the squad after snaring a record seventh title in the Phl Columbian Open in December last year over a field that included Huey and Gonzales themselves, Fil-German Marc Sieber, a former champion, Patrombon and Alcantara.
Anasta, on the other hand, will be making a return stint to the team after a semifinal finish in the PCA Open. He also topped the Olivarez Cup late last year.
The Davis Cup will also return to the Plantation Bay for the third time following the recent decision to give the Davis Cup hosting to the Filipinos from Syria.
The Filipino Davis Cuppers saw action at the Plantation Bay in defeats to Japan and Chinese Taipei teams the last two years.
“We’re ready, excited as well as honored to host the Phl in a Davis Cup tie again,†said Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa general manager Efren Belarmino.
The Phl narrowly missed out on promotion last year after reaching the finals following its victories over Pacific Oceania in Iriga City and Pakistan at the PCA’s Plaza Dilao indoor courts.
The Filipinos, however, lost to the Indonesians, 2-3, in the finals in Jakarta that kept them in Group II.