Home edge could spell difference for Phl netters

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino Davis Cuppers hope to maximize all the advantages at their disposal – home crowd, playing surface, hot weather – to turn the tables on Japan in their Asia-Oceania Zone Group I first round tie next month in Lapu-Lapu City.

The Phl team has lost its last three ties with Japan, all via 0-5 shutouts, but officials expressed belief the crew of playing captain Cecil Mamiit, Treat Huey, Johnny Arcilla and Elbert Anasta can break the Japanese domination on Mar. 4-6 at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.

“Japan is very tough and most of its players are world-rated and really competitive. But we’re playing at home and the players are all prepared,” coach Chris Cuarto said when he and Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva and Plantation Bay sales and marketing manager Stephanie Trocio graced yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue.

Cuarto and Villanueva noted that even though Phl bowed to Japan in their most recent meetings, the matches were not that one-sided, actually.

“If you will look at the results of our games against Japan last year (in the Davis Cup), they were quite close. I’m not saying the Japanese are not strong but they’re beatable,” Cuarto added.

Aside from overwhelming support expected from the 1,500 spectators during the matches, team officials feel the slower clay court of Plantation will give the Phl Cuppers the extra edge.

“It’s a big advantage because Japan prefers to play on a fast court instead of slow surface. In the past two years we played on hard and unfortunately, we lost. Now that we’re playing on clay, we hope that would break the odds for us,” Cuarto said.

The Phl last beat the Japanese in 1995, with Joseph Lizardo and Robert Angelo leading a 3-2 conquest at the clay courts of the PCA in Manila.

“When they hosted us previously, they put us in carpet, a surface that we’re not familiar with, and in a cold environment. This time, we’re doing exactly what they did to us – we’ll play on clay and near the breach and bring the heat to them,” Villanueva said.

Winner of the Phl-Japan match will move forward to the second round against either New Zealand or Uzbekistan with the victor advancing to the World Group playoffs.

Japan has yet to officially nominate its team although Phl officials consider veterans Go Soedam Takao Suzuki, Toshihide Matsui, Yuichi Sugita and Tatsuma Ito as possible entries.