PH team hopes to end losing streak against Chinese Taipei in Davis Cup tie

REVENGE will be the foremost motivation of the Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine Davis Cup team when it hosts Chinese Taipei in their Asia/Oceania Group 2 semifinal tie on July 15-17 at Philippine Columbian Association shell/clay courts.

Led by non-playing team captain Karl Santamaria, the PH Cuppers appeared as guests during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at Shakeys Malate where they vowed to get back at the Taiwanese who beat them the past three ties.

“In our minds we prefer to use it as motivation. It’s about time we win against them,” said Santamaria who was joined by recent Wimbledon doubles semifinalist Treat Huey, recent ITF France Futures 13 doubles champion Ruben Gonzales, Francis Casey Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon.

"All of them here were part of the three setbacks,” said added Santamaria, who said the Philippines still holds a 4-3 edge over the visitors in all Davis Cup encounters.

“I would like to invite everyone to come out and watch the matches. Obviously it’s for our advantage,” said Gonzales who in the recent tie against the Taiwanese played five setter against top gun Lu Yen-hsun that lasted for four hours.

“I can’t guarantee a victory but definitely I will give my best, last year I played four-hour, five-set match in singles, I will give the same effort this time and hopefully get a good results,” added Gonzales.

Huey, who is ranked 24th in the world, assured the crowd of “some great tennis this weekend,” but maintained that Chinese Taipei is still the favorite.

“We lost to them last three times. It’s time to get our revenge,” said Huey who partnered with Belarusian Max Mirnyi in finishing in the semis at All England Clubs after bowing to top seeds and World No. 1 pair Nicholas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert of France.

“They are a little bit of a favourite going to the match and we hope to make an upset this weekend,” Huey added.

Santamaria is keeping his cards close to his chest and won’t reveal who are playing in singles and doubles, but added that, “we will do whatever we feel is best for our campaign.”

Drawing of lots will be on Thursday at 10 a.m. also at PCA, karl

Follow the writer on Twitter: @spinph

Source: www.spin.ph