Fil-Am netter’s mission: Gold for motherland

After hitting a few balls in the morning and a few more in the afternoon, Cecil Mamiit, the highest-ranked Filipino tennis player in the world, has declared himself ready for the 23rd Southeast Asian Games.

The 29-year-old netter, who arrived from the US shortly before midnight Tuesday, visited the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center yesterday morning. His presence was easily felt by those who were around.

"I’ve always wanted to come back," said Mamiit, who migrated with his family to the US in 1983. It was there where he honed his tennis skills, joining countless tournaments, and in the process making a name for himself.

Mamiit broke into the world’s top 50 two years ago. But it’s quite downhill ever since as he is now ranked 211 in the world. A victory here for the Philippines is definitely something that he’s looking forward to.

"This is something I’ve wanted to do," said Mamiit after the brief morning workout held under intense heat. He was wearing a Cebuana-Lhuillier shirt, the team sponsor, when he faced mediamen.

"I was here (last) when I was six. Tennis is just part of my background. And I just wanted to bring it back to the Philippines, probably get some people involved and get a good tennis program going," he said.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, the sportsman-businessman from Cebu, is probably the one the doctor has ordered for Philippine tennis which he’s been supporting for the last couple of years now.

The entry of Mamiit and Eric Taino into the RP team was not an easy one with rumors flying around in the Internet that they’ve been paid $5,000 each or around P270,000 just to be part of the team.

"They’re not that cheap," said Col. Buddy Andrada, the former president of the Philippine Lawn Tennis Association.

Like the men’s team, the women’s team is hard-pressed to deliver in this year’s SEA Games. It’s been quite a while since the country won a gold medal in tennis.

But it won’t be easy, particularly for Mamiit who is expected to meet Thai No. 2 and back-to-back SEA Games gold medalist Danai Udomchoke along the way. The Thai netter is currently ranked 129th in the world.

"It’s going to be interesting to meet him," said Mamiit, referring to Danai, ranked only second back home behind Tharadorn Srichapan. Danai is expected to plane in just in time for Saturday’s opening matches.

"I can’t say it’s going to be easy like the last two SEA Games as Mamiit and Taino are going to represent the Philippines and the hosts will use every strategy available to gain an advantage,’’ Danai told a Thai broadsheet.

"We are a lot stronger now because of Mamiit and Taino," head coach Martin Misa said. "These are athletes who know the game inside and out so I think we have a very good chance this year."

"Cecil had been wanting to play for the Philippines but just could not because of conflict of schedule," said Misa. "But now that it’s off-season in the US, he was able to come and play."— With report from Bimbo Santos