Officials upbeat about netters’ medal chances

Even in the absence of one of its former stalwarts, the Philippine tennis team remains to be a force to reckon with in the Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane, Laos. With Cecil Mamiit still around and teaming up with a sprinkling of young, fresh talent, the RP squad is confident it can dominate the sport in this 25th edition of the meet Laos is hosting for the very first time.

“Malakas ang teams natin dito, mas malakas than in the past," noted veteran coach Johnny Jose of the star-studded men's and women's RP squads seeing action Thursday at the National Sports Complex's courts. Eric Taino, Mamiit’s long-time doubles partner, has since retired from active competition, but in his place is Fil-Am Treat Conrad Huey, whose successful partnership with Mamiit enabled the country to get back into Group I of the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Zone. The rest of the men’s team is comprised of John Patrick Tierro and Johnny Arcilla. Chris Cuarto is the coach of the men’s team. Anna Christine Patrimonio, Denise Dy, Rizza Zalameda and the comebacking Maricris Fernandez-Gentz make up Jose's women's team. “All events, may tsansa ang mga lalaki while we're also looking at more than even chances at the women's doubles and mixed doubles," said team manager Randy Villanueva. The Filipino teams are seeded second behind Thailand in both sides, although Villanueva pointed out that based on Davis Cup rankings, the Filipinos should be higher. “We're the only entry here in the Davis Cup Group I," he pointed out. Aside from Thailand, which boasts of Danai Udomchoke and Tamarine Tanasugarn, also considered as threats in the Filipinos' bid to snare a fair share of the seven golds at stake is Indonesia. “Magaling din ang ibang teams“pero mas may bala itong teams natin," said Villanueva. Arcilla, who won in the last PCA Open and earned more ITF points in India, and Mamiit will see action in the men’s singles while Mamiit and Huey will pair up in the men’s doubles. Gentz and Dy will vie in the women’s singles and pair up for the doubles. - GMANews.TV