Filipino top netters face acid-test to move up of Davis Cup Asia-Oceania

Filipino top netters face acid-test to move up of Davis Cup Asia-Oceania (Photo: Philippine Davis Cup Team/Facebook)

MANILA—For Flag and country, the battle-cry for the Philippine Davis Cup team to move back to Group I of the Asia Oceania Zone when it takes on Indonesia in the Group II matches starting on Friday (Feb. 3) at the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) shell-clay court.

The first and second singles matches which will start at 3 p.m. with top netters Alberto ‘AJ’ Lim, Jr. and Ruben Gonzales seeing action for the country’s arduous bid.

Though Lim is a rookie in the team, the country’s top junior player is toughened by numerous international competitions that include his stint world’s prestigious Wimbledon Juniors tournament.

Treat Huey and Francis Casey Alcantara will take action in Saturday’s doubles match set at 2 p.m. while the reverse singles matches will be on Sunday starting at 1 p.m.

The local team will be facing a young Indonesian squad composed of David and Anthony Susanto, Aditya Hari Sasongko, and Sunu-WahyuTrijati.

A team needs to win three matches to advance in the next round.

Philippine team coach Karl Sta. Maria said the Philippine Davis team is well prepared for this match and he is optimistic that the so-called home court advantage will work on their favor.

Earlier, Davis Cup team manager Jean Henri Lhuillier said the PH team is a combination of youth and experience.

Records showed that the last time the PH team won over an Indonesian team was during the 1999 Group 2 tie held in Jakarta where Bryan Juinio and Joseph Lizardo led the Filipinos to a 4-1 victory.