MANILA, Philippines – Treat Huey showed why he's world class as he teamed up with fellow Fil-Am Ruben Gonzales in overpowering Rajeev Rajapakse and Harshana Godamanna, 6-1, 6-0, 6-1, in the doubles to give the Philippines a 2-1 lead over Sri Lanka in their Asia Oceania Zone Group II Davis Cup tie Saturday in Colombo.
Huey, who moved to 21st in the Association of Tennis Professionals rankings following a solid quarterfinal effort in the Australian Open two weeks ago, and Gonzales, who replaced Johnny Arcilla in the last minute, was just too good for the Rajapakse and Godamanna tandem in giving the Filipinos the edge.
The Phl, sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier team manager Jean Henri Lhuillier, goes for the jugular and will need just one win in Sunday's reverse singles pitting Gonzales against Godamanna and PJ Tierro versus Dineshanthan Thangarajah to clinch the tie.
"We'll go for it tomorrow, of course," said Phl Davis Cup administrator and Philta vice president Randy Villanueva.
Tierro came in for Huey in the opening singles but lost a heartbreaking 6-3, 6-7 (8), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 decision to Godamanna before Gonzales saved the day by knotting it at one game apiece with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 bashing of Thangarajah.
The doubles triumph was Huey's fourth in row and second straight in partnership with Gonzales.