Fil-Ams could fuel tennis boom

If they’re true to their word, Fil-Am veteran ATP tour campaigners Cecil Mamiit and Eric Taino would try to bring more honors for Philippine tennis beyond the 23rd SEA Games.

Mamiit and Taino powered Team Philippines to three gold medals in the Games, marking the rebirth of Philippine tennis as it matched its production in the biennial meet 14 years ago at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

But the questio is whether Mamiit and Taino would lend their services to the RP team for a longer period of time. The same with Fil-foreign lady netters Riza Zalameda, Denise Dy and Anja Vanessa Peter.

After a brief rest and recreation in Boracay in the next few days, Mamiit and Taino are set to return to the United States to resume their campaigns in the pro circuit.

But Mamiit has said he enjoyed the warm reception and affection accorded him by the Filipinos and he’s looking forward to playing for the country in future international tournaments, including the Davis Cup and the Asian Games.

"I’m enjoying every moment of my stay here. This is good for Philippine tennis and this is just the start. I’m looking forward to playing in the Davis Cup and the Asian Games," said the amiable Mamiit, who narrowly missed a perfect 3-of-3 SEAG showing with a setback in the men’s doubles finals.

"The whole week was a humbling experience for me and all of us, and it’s a great honor for us to be here," said Taino, a double-gold medalist like Mamiit.

RP team manager Jean Henri Lhuillier said he sees bigger and brighter things for Philippine tennis not just because of the Fil-Ams but also the homegrown bets.

"We have talented homegrown players in Patrick John Tierro, Johnny Arcilla and Czarina Mae Arevalo and they still have room for improvement. We can say that we have a deep bench," said Lhuillier.

On Mamiit and Taino, Lhuillier said they have signified their intention to come back and again play for the country.

"They have embraced the country which has become part of their home. They have felt the warm welcome and recognition they wouldn’t get in any part of the world," said Lhuillier.

Philippine Tennis Association vice president for international affairs Ajay Pathak, for his part, said he sees a brighter future for the sport with the help of Mamiit and Taino.

"They really wanted to play for us and they have already made an alliance with the country. The impact they have made in the SEA Games will surely help us attract sponsors for our program. The program has always been there. The problem was that we didn’t have the sponsors before," said Pathak.

Pathak said Mamiit and Taino are good for three to four more years and they could also help the Philippines regain its old good standing in the Davis Cup competition.

The country has been relegated to Group III of the Asia-Oceania Zone of the Davis Cup. It reached the candidates round for the world group in the early 90s during the time of Felix Barrientos and company.

The Philippines hosts the Group III competition among eight nations in July. The top two teams after a one-round robin event will move up to Group II play.

"The future is really looking good. We could be back in Group II play after July as our only top rivals in Group III are Iran and Vietnam," said Pathak.

Before July, Pathak said Mamiit and Taino will resume their stint in the pro circuit.

The good thing is that these Fil-Am netters have served their motherland and delivered the gold.