Netters need to start strong vs Japan

MANILA, Philippines -  The Philippines faces a must-win situation right in the singles matches of its Asia-Oceania Zone Davis Cup Group I tie with fancied Japan starting Friday at the clay court of the Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa in Lapu Lapu City, Cebu.

“Everything would hinge on how our team would perform in the first two singles matches,” said Phl Davis Cup coach Chris Cuarto. “If we could pull at least one singles victory, if not both, we’ll have a really good chance of pulling off an upset.”

Fil-Ams Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey are expected to play in the first two singles matches of the best-of-five, three-day tie and could go all the way in the doubles and reverse singles should the Filipino netters be able to stay in contention.

The other members of the team are Johnny Arcilla and Elbert Anasta while Patrick John Tierro is the team’s reserve.

Japan, which has beaten the Philippines in their last three Davis Cup face offs, will be led by Tatsuma Ito, Go Soeda, Suichi Yugita and Takao Suzuki, who routed the Filipinos, 0-5, in their duel in Osaka last year.

The official drawing of lots will be held at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

The Japanese have beaten the local bets in their last three ties - all via 0-5 routs, making them the heavy favorites again.

But the Filipinos are going all out to get back at their tormentors, hoping to bank on the proverbial homecourt edge, including their familiarity with the slow surface, the crowd and the humid weather.

Cuarto said they’re now more familiar with the outdoor, clay courts than the Japanese, whose first practice round was cancelled due to rain last Sunday.

“We haven’t really seen them practicing yet so we can’t tell if they’ll be affected by the surface,” said Cuarto. “We’re banking on more on the hometown support as well as the weather, which we hope to be hot.”