Huey banners Cuppers campaign vs NZ netters

MANILA, Philippines - Fil-Am Treat Huey will spearhead the country’s campaign against New Zealand when the Philippines hosts the Group II promotional tie of the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone from Sept. 13 to 15 at the Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

Huey is currently in the quarterfinals of the US Open after he and teammate Great Britain’s Dominic Inglot upset third seed Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez of Spain, 7-6 (2), 6-0, at the Arthur Ashe Stadium the other day.

Huey and Inglot are playing 10th seed Ivan Dodig of Croatia and Marcelo Melo of Brazil at presstime for a spot in the semis.

Huey, 28, another Fil-Am Ruben Gonzales, Johnny Arcilla and Francis Casey Alcantara make up the national team bidding to steer the Philippines back to Group I against New Zealand’s Michael Venus, Artem Sitak, Marcus Daniell and Daniel King-Turner.

Philta vice president and Phl Davis Cup team administrator Randy Villanueva said the Kiwis, who were set to arrive last night, are sending their best team with three of their players ranked inside the top 1,000.

“This is the strongest New Zealand team we’re facing,” said Villanueva.

Gonzales is the highest ranked Filipino singles player at 1,001st while Venus, Sitak and Daniell, who are ranked 373rd, 447th and 590th, respectively.

Huey, however, is way ahead in men’s doubles as he is currently ranked 32nd in the world in the Association of Tennis Professionals.