Tierro opens PHL’s Davis Cup bid vs Sri Lanka

MANILA, Philippines – The road back to Group I by Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippines starts Friday as it clashes with a much-improved Sri Lanka in their Asia/Oceania Group Two tie at the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City.

Phl No. 1 Patrick John Tierro drew the honor of playing first after his name was picked by Valle Verde sports director Richie Lozada in the customary drawing ceremony at Valle Verde Thursday and will clash with Sri Lanka No. 2 Harshanna Godamanna at 4 p.m.

Tierro though has a score to settle with Godamanna as the former will go all out to avenge a heartbreaking 3-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4, 2-6, 3-6 defeat to the latter in the Filipinos' 3-1 win over the Sri Lankans in Colombo last year.

"I'm a different player from the last time we played and I'm more confident," said Tierro in Filipino.

Fil-Am Ruben Gonzalez will then clash with Sri Lanka No. 1 and 19-year-old sensation Sharmal Dissanayake in the second singles match while world-ranked Treat Conrad Huey and Pepperdine University standout Francis Casey  Alcantara teamed up in doubles versus Dineshkanthan Thangarajah and Sankha Atukorale at 3 p.m. the next day.

The reverse singles, if necessary, is on Sunday with Gonzales clashing with Godamanna and Tierro battling Dissanayake.

The Filipinos are heavily favored to beat the Sri Lankans after having beaten the latter eight times in as many ties although non-playing team captain Roland Kraut thinks it’s going to be a tough match.

"Yes, we want to win over Sri Lanka and take that first step towards making back Group I for the first time since 2011. But I don't think it’s going to be easy," said Kraut.

Huey, who is coming off a solid stint with the Manila Mavericks in the International Premier Tennis League late last year, for his part, said this year's lineup is the strongest in years.

"This is a talented team, anyone can play singles and doubles," he said.

Phl Tennis Association vice president and Davis Cup team administrator Randy Villanueva said he hopes Filipino tennis fans gets to watch and support the team.

"Our advantage is our crowd so the more people who could cheer for our team, the better," he said.

Tickets in this tournament, which is sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier, Yonex, Pasig City and the Philippine Sports Commission, are priced at P1,000 for a three-day pass, and P500 for a day pass. New Zealand’s David Smith will be the head ITF referee.