The international exposure of the nominated members of the Philippine Davis Cup team will be a big plus for the squad when it fights to stay in Group 1 against Chinese Taipei in the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Zone Group 1 knockout tie on Sept. 16, 17 and 18 at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.
The Philippine team is expected to be manned by Cecil Mamiit, Treat Conrad Huey, Jeson Patrombon and Ruben Gonzales.
Huey has paired with Somdev Devvarman in the doubles event of the ongoing US Open at the Flushing Meadows in New York. Mamiit also took part in the US Open playoffs as part of his preparations for the upcoming knockout tie.
Gonzales, who won a doubles event in Italy, is set to see action next week in another international event while Patrombon played in Mexico and in the US Open Juniors.
This is not the first time that the four expected members of the team have played in international tournaments.
They have been traveling abroad and competing in big competitions to prepare for Chinese Taipei.
If the lineup stays, it will be a better team compared to the Philippine team that saw action against Japan early this year in the Asia Oceania Group 1 Tie.
The team was also manned by Mamiit and Huey but had Johnny Arcilla and Elbert Anasta as teammates. John Patrick Tierro was also made a reserve player.
Arcilla was also named to the team that will see action against Chinese Taipei. He may not have international exposure but he has been ruling various national tournaments around the country.
ADVANTAGE FOR THE PHILIPPINES
Philippine Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva assured that the players will be far from getting burned out with their hectic schedule. He said the international exposure will be an advantage as it will make the team more prepared against Chinese Taipei.
Meanwhile, organizers have announced that the Philippine Davis Cup team will be supported by the services of the Cebu Orthopedic Institute through Dr. Tony San Juan during the games.
They also confirmed that there will be a free shuttle service courtesy of the Lapu-Lapu City government to ferry spectators from the Ayala Center Cebu to the venue. However, only those with tickets will be allowed to ride the shuttle to prevent people from taking advantage of the free ride.
As for the event’s security, Lapu-Lapu City police chief senior Supt. Anthony Obenza is ready to accommodate a request for road security and escorts.
Obenza said this would not be a problem as they have already experienced this during the Philippines vs. Japan match last March, which was held without any problems.
He added that they will be ready to deploy augmentation if needed and police auxiliary groups as multipliers.
Lapu-Lapu City Councilor Don Harry Radaza will also be meeting with barangay officials to plan the security measures.
He also said that they would try to emulate last March’s welcome of the teams, wherein they had the streets lined with students.