Phl D Cuppers claim doubles, lead Thais, 2-1

LAPU LAPU CITY, Philippines – Treat Huey and Francis Casey Alcantara came up with a 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (4) victory over Thailand’s Nuttanon Kadchapanan and Pruchya Isarow in doubles last night to hand the Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippines a 2-1 edge in their Davis Cup tie at the Plantation Bay Spa and Resort.

Huey and Alcantara wasted one matchpoint but practically got the two-hour match under control to push the Philippines to within a win of taking the tie and making the Asia Oceania Group 2 final against New Zealand which beat Pakistan, 4-1.

The Philippines can wrap up the tie by winning just one of the two reverse singles today pitting Ruben Gonzales against former Asian Games singles champion Danai Udomchoke, and Johnny Arcilla against gangly 17-year-old novice Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul.

Matches begin at 3:30 p.m.

``We are in a very good position but we are not done yet,’’ said Phl non-playing captain Roland Kraut. ``We still need to work very hard. And we are going to go all out tomorrow.’’

The Thais broke serve for 6-5 on Alcantara’s serve, but the host showed too much pride to break back and force tiebreak.

With Alcantara, the 2009 Australian Open juniors doubles champ, manning the net, and Huey, the world’s No. 27, taking care of everything else, the Filipinos stormed to 6-3. But the Thais fought back to save match point before Isarow threw it all away with a wayward forehand to finish the game.