PH-Taiwan Davis Cup battle crucial for Pinoys

THE knockout tie between the Philippines and the Chinese Taipei in Davis Cup is expected to be crucial as it will determine who will have the right to remain in the Asia Oceania Zone Group 1 of the Davis Cup.

The tournament will be held on Sept. 16, 17 and 18 at the shell-clay court of the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

Philippine Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva said winning the tie is very important for the Philippines’ chances to play in the World Group.

Despite the Philippine Team’s loss to Chinese Taipei Team last year, it still has the slight advantage as its head-to-head statistics against each other stands at 4-1 in favor of the Philippines.

Philippine Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva said last year was the first time that Chinese Taipei was able to beat the Philippine Team. But the locals should not depend on this because prior to last year, it has also been a long time since both countries last met and the Chinese Taipei Team has become stronger since then.

According to John Pages, Chinese Taipei’s no.1 junior tennis player Yen Hsun Lu might be seeing action in the Davis Cup tie against the RP Team.

Although this would not bode well for the Philippine’s chances, it would at the same time provide Filipinos the opportunity to watch a tennis player of world-class calibre as Lu is ranked no. 67 in the world.

Lu has also beaten the likes of Andy Roddick and Andy Murray, two of the world’s top tennis players.

Most likely to join Lu are Tsung Hua Yang, Ti Chen, Chu-Huan Yi and Hsin-Han Lee, the same guys who manned the Chinese Taipe team last year.

The Philippine Team will have playing coach and team captain Cecil Mamiit, Jeson Patrombon, Ruben Gonzales and Treat Conrad Huey.

Villanueva assured that Huey will be playing this time after he backed out against New Zealand last month.

Huey withdrew against New Zealand to prioritize his stint in the ATP Tour.

Patrombon and Gonzales are the new Philippine Team members. Villanueva said Johnny Arcilla and Elbert Anasta will still be invited to be part of the team. CORRESPONDENT MARS G. ALISON