Home court gives Phl Cuppers boost vs Thais

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Lawn Tennis Association (Philta) vice president Randy Villanueva expressed confidence on the Filipinos’ chances against Thailand in the second round of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania zone Group II showdown next month at Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Cebu.

Villanueva, Philta’s Davis Cup administrator, said the surface of the venue of choice – clay – should serve the Pinoy Cuppers well, along with the expected huge turnout of local fans in the April 5-7 duel.

“Palagay ko napakaganda ng chances natin kasi nasa claycourt ang labanan. Ang Thailand, hard court talaga sila naglalaro, even the kind of game they play is really (for) hard court  (I think our chances are good since the tie will be played on claycourt.  Thailand is more used to playing in hard court and their style of play is best suited on hard court),” said Villanueva.

On the other hand, he said the Filipino Cuppers have already adjusted well to the slower surface. The Filipinos played Syria at Plantation Bay’s claycourt in the first round and eked out a 3-2 triumph.

“Based on our last tie against Syria, nakita natin (we’ve already seen) how comfortable our players are in claycourt,” he said.

Crowd support should also be a factor and give Phl added energy against the Thais, he noted.

“We got a big crowd last time (against Syria) and we’re expecting that to double (in the tie against Thailand) so I think we have a very good chance,” Villanueva said.

According to the Philta exec, US-based pros Ruben Gonzales and Treat Huey, as well as Johnny Arcilla, are already confirmed for the tie while the fourth slot is still up for grabs.