Minus 2 aces, Cuppers wary of Pakistanis

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Davis Cup squad will be hard-pressed to defend its turf without two of its mainstays when it goes up against a Pakistan side headed by a world ranked player beginning tomorrow at the start of their Asia-Oceania Group II tie at the PCA shell courts in Paco, Manila.

Cecil Mamiit, who has led the Phl to Group I for two years before being relegated to Group 2, begged off as the team’s non-playing captain, while Jeson Patrombon sustained an ankle injury last month, forcing the team to tap former Davis Cup member Francis Casey Alcantara.

Fil-Am Treat Huey will thus take over the cudgels for the hosts along with another Fil-Am Ruben Gonzales, Johnny Arcilla and Alcantara. The team tried out the oven-hot Plaza Dilao venue to familiarize themselves with the surface as they gear up against a Pakistan squad banking on Aisam Qureshi, ranked 13th in the world doubles.

“He’ll be the biggest barrier in our bid to inch closer to getting back to Group I,” said Phl Tennis Association vice-president and Phl Davis Cup team administrator Randy Villanueva, referring to Qureshi.

The Filipinos have a 4-1 (win-loss) head-to-head record against Pakistan, including a 4-1 triumph five years ago at the Rizal Tennis Center, and a 3-2 win at the PCA court three years ago.

But in those clashes, the 30-year-old Qureshi didn’t see action, making Pakistan a dangerous rival for a Phl side backed by Cebuana Lhuillier’s Jean Henri Lhuillier, Slazenger Balls, Accel and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Qureshi also owns an impressive Davis Cup record of 50 wins, including 31 in singles and 19 in doubles, against 21 losses.