MEMBERS of the Philippine Davis Cup team promised to put up a good fight when they face Syria in the first round of action in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Zone Group II this weekend at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.
The team arrived last Sunday minus Johnny Arcilla, who is still in Australia after he saw action in a side event of the Australian Open.
Treat Conrad Huey, Ruben Gonzales and Elbert “Onyok” Anasta were accompanied by team captain Roland Kraut and coach Chris Cuarto. Arcilla is expected to arrive today.
In an informal press conference at Plantation Bay yesterday, Kraut said that each member of the the team has been preparing by playing several tournaments here and abroad.
Gonzales, currently ranked no.1 in the country, competed in Futures tournaments in the U.S. No.2 Huey just came from the mixed and men’s doubles competitions in the Australian Open while Anasta, ranked no.4, played in the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) yearender event.
The third-ranked Arcilla also clinched his seventh PCA Open title recently.
Kraut said they have not yet decided on who will play the two singles matches this Friday, and the doubles on Saturday. He said they will wait for the draw this Thursday.
Philta vice president Randy Villanueva said the Philippines has a slight advantage over Syria.
Gonzales has a higher Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) world ranking at 825 while Huey is at 1,000. Huey is ranked 36th in the ATP doubles.
Syria, on the other hand, has two players with an ATP world ranking at the 900s.
Villanueva confirmed that the matches will start at 3:30 p.m. and will continue into the night, one of the major reason why the players are excited and can’t wait to see action.
“The team is very excited for sure especially that the matches will be played later in the day. We hope more people will come to watch us. This is a good tie and the team is ready to put on a good show,” Huey said.
Coach Cuarto said the later schedule will make a big difference as the humidity will be easy to adapt to especially that some members of the Philippine team come from countries with cool weather. /correspondent mars g alison