RP Cuppers rip Singapore, boost bid for Group 2 entry

Behind the one-two punch of Erik Taino and Cecil Mamiit, the Philippines made short work of Singapore, 3-0, yesterday in the Davis Cup Asia Oceania Group 3 tournament at the Manila Polo Club.

Taino, a 30-year-old Fil-American, staged an hour-long tennis clinic on his way to a 6-0, 6-0 win over Min Wee, a hapless 16-year-old Singaporean who’s in his first big tournament.

Taino, a powerful lefty and a gold medalist in last year’s SEA Games, proved too much for his young, 6-foot-1 opponent who looked like he was here just for the experience.

"It was a good experience for me. He is very strong. I did everything I could. I’m just 16," said Wee after the day’s opening match at the upper indoor courts of the MPC.

Right from the start, there was no doubt that Taino was in for a breezy win, allowing his opponent just a few good moments on the well-kept shell court.

"Boring naman," said an old female spectator.

In two days, Taino has never dropped a set, counting his 6-0, 6-1 win over Sri Lanka’s Amrit Rupasinghe the other day when the Philippines scored a similar 3-0 shutout.

Mamiit, another Fil-American and the reigning SEA Games men’s singles champion, scored a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Hok Huen Kam, to keep a perfect record for himself.

Johnny Arcilla and PJ Tierro capped the shutout win for the hosts with a 6-3, 6-1 decision over Kam and Wee in doubles. Arcilla and Tierro did not play Wednesday, leaving it all up to the Fil-Am pair.

"I hope this continues so we can get out of this group," said RP non-playing captain Roland So, who’s anticipating a tougher opponent today in Vietnam.

"We’ll see tomorrow," he said while he walked Taino back to the lockerroom.

The eight competing teams were divided into two groups with the Philippines bracketed with Sri Lanka, Singapore and Vietnam. In the other group are Iran, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.

After a single-round robin, the top two teams from each group will advance to tomorrow’s semis. The two teams that will reach Sunday’s finals will move up to Group 2 next year.

The last time the Philippines fell to Group 3 was in 2000, and So can’t wait to get out of it. He was part of the RP team that made it to the World Group qualifier in 1991 along with Felix Barrientos, Danilo Pila and Camoy Palahang.

"We have to go back to Group 2 next year," said So.

Notes: The Davis Cup, one of the world’s most prestigious tournaments and now on its 106th year, couldn’t have found a more stylish and elegant host than the Manila Polo Club because where else in the country can you find a club with a shining silver Ferrari, which probably costs around P20 million, and the latest BMWs, MBs, and SUVs in the parking lot. The MPC, located in the heart of Forbes Park, has lent four of its 10 indoor courts to the Davis Cup organizers for free. The only drawback is that the courts are too close to one another, forcing some stoppages in play when a ball from one court criss-crosses another. "We just can’t ask for anything more from the Manila Polo Club and its members," said one of the organizers. No problem, actually. Through the MPC, the Philippines is celebrating its 85th year of participation in the Davis Cup in great style.