2 Johnnys to be honored Johnny Jose, Arcilla to receive breakthrough awards in Philippine tennis

CEBU, Philippines - The city government of Lapu-Lapu and Plantation Bay Resort and Spa have successfully staged the Davis Cup four times already, but the organizers of the prestigious event never cease to come up with some innovations so they could present something new and delightful to the Cebuano fans.

The highly-anticipated Davis Cup Group 2 finals between the Philippines and New Zealand scheduled to be held from September 13 to 15 at Plantation Bay is no exception.

And it's even made special and more significant to the country's sports history.

“This is something special. It’s the first time that we are going to play a non-Asian country. It is also the first time that it’s going to be the finals,” said Davis Cup Philippines Administrator Randy Villanueva in a press conference yesterday at Fiji Restaurant of the posh resort.

“This is something speciaThe most special of all things is that it will be the first time that Filipino players will receive a 'Commitment Award’ from no less than the International Tennis Federation (ITF), the world's governing body of the sport. It will a great honor for the awardees as they will receive actual Davis Cup trophies from London,” added Villanueva. “Several countries are giving this award also and we want to be part of it.”

The initial recipients of the said accolade are Cebuano Johnny Arcilla and Johnny Jose.

Jose, the last Filipino to win tennis gold medal in the Asian Games way back in 1962 in Jakarta, Indonesia, first played in the Davis Cup in 1955 and had played for 21 ties. He posted a career record of 20 wins and 22 losses in Davis Cup.

Arcilla, on the other hand, is still part of the current Cebuana Lhuillier-Phl Davis Cup team. He is already accounted for 29 ties since he first saw action in 2000.

“Nindot kaayo ning award given to them. It also exemplifies the commitment of Datu Lapu-Lapu to the Oponganons,” said councilor Harry Radaza.

“This is something speciaIt's a history in the making, a milestone of sort,” shared Plantation Bay Vice President for Marketing Efren Belarmino.

Arcilla, the unprecedented seven-time PCA champion, looks forward to returning to Cebu and contribute something to the country’s return to Group I.

Aside from Arcilla, the Phl pool for the Group 2 final battle is composed of Treat Huey, Ruben Gonzales, Francis Casey Alcantara, Jeson Patrombon and Elbert Anasta. The final team nominations will come 10 days before the scheduled start of the tournament.

This also marks for the first time in all five ties that have been hosted by Plantation Bay that a final group stage will be done.

In the first Davis Cup tie held in the Queen City of the South, the Japanese handily beat their Pinoy counterparts, 3-1, in a Group 1 match. With that loss, the Phl squad had to go through a relegation playoff versus Chinese-Taipei that ended at 1-4 in favor of the latter.

Last February, Team Phl, sans Cecil Mamiit, came up with a 3-2 win against Syria to move up to the second round against Thailand last April.

Playing with high morale from their resounding triumph over the Syrians, the Filipino netters went on to blast the Thais, 4-1, to set up a championship showdown with New Zealand. It's a very crucial duel for both countries as the winner will shot back to Group 1, while the loser will stay in Group 2.

The Philippines holds a slim 3-2 edge in five Davis Cup meetings against New Zealand, but the Kiwis won via 5-0 shutout in their previous encounter two years ago.

“I'm hoping we will win this one so we can go back to Group 1. That will give us an opportunity to play against Australia. Imagine if it happens here, that would truly be great,” said Villanueva. (FREEMAN)