Pinoy Cuppers ready; Kiwis reinforce roster

LAPU LAPU City, Cebu, Philippines – Cebuana Lhuillier Philippines is all set to face New Zealand in their 2013 Davis Cup Group II Asia-Oceania promotional tie beginning tomorrow at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa here, upbeat of its chances against the Kiwis’ souped-up roster.

“We’re ready,” said Fil-Am Treat Huey, spearhead of the team that pulled off a surprise conquest of Thailand last April that lined up the Filipino netters for a shot back in Group I play.

Huey hopes to flash the form he dished out in the US Open doubles competitions where he teamed up with Great Britain’s Dominic Inglot to clinch a first-ever quarterfinal appearance in a major.

Huey flew back from New York Tuesday then quickly boarded a flight to Cebu to join fellow Fil-Am Ruben Gonzales, Francis Casey Alcantara and Johnny Arcilla in their final buildup against the Kiwis.

One thing going against the hosts, however, is that New Zealand is coming in with a roster bolstered by the entry of world No. 295 Jose Statham in place of Danier Turner-King, firming up its already formidable squad.

“It will be tough for sure because New Zealand is fielding in its best team,” said non-playing team captain Roland Kraut, referring to the higher-ranked Kiwis who include No. 373 Michael Venus, No. 447 Artem Sitak and

The Filipinos still lead the Kiwis in their head-to-head duel, 3-2, but the latter prevailed in their last faceoff two years ago, scoring a convincing 5-0 rout in their Group I relegation tie.

Meanwhile, the hosts are expected to field in Gonzales and Arcilla in the opening singles tomorrow and Huey to partner with Alcantara again in Saturday’s doubles event the way they did against the Thais, whom they beat for the first time in Davis Cup tie in 28 years.

Team manager Jean Henri Lhuillier, for his part, is pinning his hopes on the home court advantage and surface familiarity against New Zealand.

The Philippines’ campaign is backed by Smart, Yonex, Cebuana Lhuillier, Lapu Lapu City Mayor Radaza Paz, Jober Electronics, Plantation Bay vice president Efren Belarmino and Phl Sports Commission.