PHL Davis Cuppers confident of chances vs Japan

The Philippine Davis Cup team is confident of its chances against Japan in their first round Asia-Oceania Davis Cup Group I tie on March 4 to 6 at The Plantation Bay Resort in Lapu-Lapu City in Mactan Island, Cebu. Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva said that the team can play at par with Japan despite having lost to the Japanese last year. "We played them last year in the Davis Cup and in the Asian Games, and all the games were close," said Villanueva in Tuesday's Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum. Cecil Mamiit, Treat Conrad Huey, Johnny Arcilla and Elbert Anasta with Patrick John Tierro as alternate will take on the difficult task of upsetting a Japan side composed of world number 106 Go Soeda and Tatsuma Ito, ranked 169th. The PHL Davis Cuppers were blanked by Japan, 5-0, in their first round tie. They lost to Chinese Taipei, 4-1, before beating South Korea, 3-2, to stay in Group I. "They are tough but they are beatable," said team coach Chris Cuarto in the same forum. The team also sees an advantage in terms of the weather. "We decided to do this outdoors because of the warm weather in March," said Villanueva. The PHL-Japan tie will be played in The Plantation Bay's clay court surface, which is different from the shell clay courts the Davis Cuppers are used to at the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) courts in Paco, Manila. "We don't have this kind of clay court, but that is still something that we are very familiar with. That alone is an advantage for us," said Villanueva. The Plantation Bay Resort has spruced up the clay court which has natural sand on it, as compared to the PCA courts’ crushed shell. Seats have also been added for an expected banner crowd. Villanueva said that the team has no problem with playing outside Metro Manila, with Mamiit having already played in the venue. "We have taken Cecil there and he is comfortable with the playing surface," said Villanueva. Villanueva said that the team will fly to Lapu Lapu City on February 21 to adjust themselves to the playing conditions. The Japanese, on the other hand, will arrive on February 26. – Reuben Terrado, JVP, KY, GMA News