MANILA, Philippines — Banking on its own success as well as the latest triumph of the Philippine Azkals, the country’s Davis Cup team is also hoping to get a solid backing from its countrymen when it hosts Japan in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group I first round in Cebu.
The Nationals will play the Japanese from March 4 to 6 at the classy Plantation Bay Resort in Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan Island, Cebu.
Although this is the first time that a Davis Cup tournament will be played outside Manila, Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva said he expects a big crowd to cheer for the national team.
Also, Villanueva disclosed that they are in the final stage of negotiations with TV5 to air the matches live on 5 and 41, its free channels on VHF (very high frequency) and UHF (ultra high frequency), respectively.
“We expect a loud crowd,” Villanueva said Tuesday during the PSA Forum in Shakey’s Restaurant on U.N. Avenue, Manila. “We’re going to do exactly the opposite what they did to us when we played them in Japan.”
The team has tapped the services of veteran Davis Cup campaigners Cecil Mamiit, Treat Huey, Johnny Arcilla and Vicente Elberto Anasta. Patrick John Tierro is the team’s alternate. Last year, the national team lost to Japan (0-5), as well as to Chinese Taipei (1-4) in their respective home turfs, but defeated South Korea (3-2) in its home court in the playoffs to retain its spot in Group I.
This time, Villanueva and coach Chris Cuarto are hoping for a positive results with the country hosting the first round of Davis Cup action.
As for Cuarto, he said that the national team has a 50-50 chance to beat Japan and move to the second round of the event, either against Uzbekistan or New Zealand.
“If we win against Japan, and then either against Uzbekistan or New Zealand, we – then advance to the World Group playoffs next year,” said Cuarto.
source: manila bulletin
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