ITF to honor 4 Pinoy netters with ‘Commitment Award’

CEBU, Philippines - Four decorated netters will make history in Philippine sports as the first Pinoys to receive the International Tennis Federation's 'Commitment Award' that will be presented this afternoon prior to the doubles match of the Davis  Cup Asia/Oceania Group II finals between Phl and New Zealand at the posh Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.   

Cebuano Johnny Arcilla, Juan Johnson “Johnny” Jose, Raymond Deyro and the late Felicisimo Ampon will be given with such distinction by the ITF for their long-standing dedication of representing the country in the Davis Cup, the world's premiere men’s team tennis competition.

To qualify for the prestigious award, a player should have competed in a minimum of 20 home or away ties or  50 ties at any level of the tournament under the Davis Cup.

Deyro has the most number of ties played with 37 starting from 1950 to 1971, compiling a decent 36-35 win-loss record, while Jose saw action in 21 ties from 1955 to 1964, just enough for the required number of ties.

The late Ampon, on the other hand, has played 36 ties from 1939 to 1968. He has 40 wins and 35 losses during his colorful Davis Cup stint. More importantly, Ampon holds the country’s all-time record for the the most number of singles win at 34 and most total wins at 40.

Considered to be the greatest Filipino tennis player in history who was once considered the best tennis player in the world, pound for pound, Ampon was best know for winning the 1934 Far Eastern Games tennis gold medal, the 1937 Davis Cup singles title, the 1950 Pan American Games tennis singles gold medal, the 1958 Asian Games tennis doubles gold medal, and 1968 Chinese Recreational Club Open Tennis doubles title.

Interestingly, Deyro, Ampon and Jose were the same cast of players who first played and won against New Zealand in a Davis Cup tie way back in 1963 in Manila.

Arcilla, the youngest of the four recipient, has figured in total of 30 ties. He holds the country’s all-time record for the most number of doubles victory with 10 wins against seven losses.

Arcilla first represented the county in 2000 when was still 19. He still continues to suit up for the national team even up to this day when they go up against the Kiwis in a crucial match that would determine Phl's chances of returning to the elite Group I. (FREEMAN)