Tie vs Taiwan to boost SEAG buildup

MANILA, Philippines - While its focus remains on winning the tie, the national Davis Cup team is using its Asia Oceania Zone Group I duel with Chinese Taipei as part of its buildup for the upcoming SEA Games in Indonesia.

“This particular tie will surely boost the experience level of our team for our preparation for the Southeast Asian Games,” said Fil-Am and skipper Cecil Mamiit.

“But of course, our focus is winning this event,” he added.

The hosts hope to cash in on the so-called home-court advantage as they take on the Taiwanese starting Friday at the Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa in Lapu Lapu City.

Joining Mamiit in the squad are fellow Fil-Am Treat Huey, a doubles specialist who is coming off a series of impressive finishes abroad, and rookies Ruben Gonzalez and Jeson Patrombon.

Meanwhile, Mamiit and Huey are expected to banner the country’s bid in the 26th SEA Games set Nov. 11-25 in Palembang and Jakarta, Indonesia after winning two gold, two silver and two bronze medals in the 2009 edition in Laos.

“The SEA Games will be great for us since we have done well in the past with our events,” Mamiit said.

However, Mamiit and company will have their hands full against a Chinese Taipei team composed of Ti Chen, Jimmy Wang, Lee Hsin-Ha, Yi Chu-han and non-playing team captain Tsai Chia-Yen.

Although the Phl Davis Cuppers swept their first four meetings with the Taiwanese, the Filipinos lost their last tie, 1-4, in Kaoshiung, Taiwan last year.

The last time the Filipinos won was in 1999, when Michael Misa, Joseph Lizardo and Bryan Juinio prevailed, 3-2, at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

“We hope to bank on every advantage we have, that’s the reason we want our games done at the Plantation Bay and Lapu Lapu City,” said Phl Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva.