RP returns to Group II in Davis Cup

The Philippines has been demoted to Group II in the Asia-Oceania zone of the Davis Cup after losing three straight ties to Japan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in a woeful tailspin from winning eight in a row to earn elevation to Group I.

Last weekend, Kazakhstan formalized the Philippines’ slide back to Group II via a resounding 5-0 shutout on the clay courts of Astana. The Philippines joins New Zealand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Oman and Kuwait in Group II.

Not even the arrival of Fil-Am Cecil Mamiit from a 40-hour journey that began in Tulsa, Oklahoma, could stem the tide as the Kazakhs rolled to a convincing victory behind three Russian transplants Andrey Golubev, Yuri Schukin and Mikhail Kukushkin.

Schukin, 29, got Kazakhstan off to a strong start with a 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 decision over Mamiit, 32, last Friday. Golubev, 21, then trounced Johnny Arcilla, 6-2, 6-1, 6-0.

The Philippines’ non-playing captain Chris Cuarto made a last-minute change in the doubles lineup and sent in Mamiit and Arcilla to replace Yannick Guba and P.J. Tierro for the crucial third match last Saturday. It didn’t make a difference as Golubev and Schukin combined for a 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 romp.

In the no-bearing matches last Sunday, Kukushkin outlasted Mamiit, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7) and Syrym Abdukhalikov repulsed Tierro, 6-7 (7), 7-5, 6-4. The last two contests were reduced to best-of-three sets.

Mamiit came within a whisker of picking up a win for the Philippines but Kukushkin, 20, wouldn’t be denied. Tierro, 23, was also close to scoring a victory against Abdukhalikov.

“Group I is really tough and we found that out this year,” said Randy Villanueva of the Philippine Tennis Association. “We just can’t rely on two players like we used to in Groups II and III with Cecil and Eric (Taino). The teams in Group I are all solid. Our players, specially Johnny and P. J., don’t have the exposure in international tournaments to be competitive because of lack of funds.”

Villanueva said the 6-1 Tierro has the potential to make waves on the world stage but financial constraints keep him at home.

“P. J. has the height,” said Villanueva. “He is young. He has proven himself several times in the past that he can compete against high-caliber players but he needs to play in international tournaments for him to have a good ranking and to improve.”

Villanueva said the key is to set aside a budget of $50,000 a year for each player.

“That’s for travel expenses in the tour,” he went on. “It’s the minimum amount being spent by a player in the world’s top 300. The former Russian players in the Kazakhstan team were given $50,000 a year for touring expenses by a private company. For sure, Kazakhstan will be favored to reach the World Group next year.”

Villanueva said players in Group I average 30 to 40 tournaments a year, compared to the local stars who are exposed only twice or thrice except for Mamiit who invests his own money to travel the circuit.

“If only we can have a salary of a benchwarmer in the PBA and invest it in P.J. for two years, who knows how far he’ll go?” continued Villanueva. “This year, P.J. almost beat Soeda Go of Japan in the Davis Cup with the score 6-4 in the fifth set. That was an amazing achievement for P.J. Even the Japanese coach was impressed and asked who was this kid giving problems to their No. 1 player. P.J. is not ranked in the ATP and Soeda is No. 180. In 2007, Soeda played in more than 30 international tournaments while P.J. didn’t even play once.”

Villanueva said next year, the Philippine team will welcome doubles specialist Treat Huey who is based in the US. Another prospect is Fil-German Marc Sieber, 19. – Joaquin Henson