Philippine Cuppers sweep Group II tie vs Kuwait
MANILA, Philippines – Jeson Patrombon wore down Abdulhamid Mubarak, 7-6(5), 6-3,
while Francis Casey Alcantara overpowered Ali Ghareeb, 6-2, 6-1, to complete Cebuana
Lhuillier-Philippine team’s sweep of their Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group II tie at
the Valle Verde Country Club in Pasig City yesterday.
Patrombon, who thumped Kuwait No. 2 Abdulrahman Alawadhi, 6-0, 6-2, 6-1, in the
opening singles Friday, struggled in the early going against Mubarak, barely pulling
off the win in the first set. But the former world juniors No. 9 regained his bearing
and rhythm in the second frame to dominate the rest of the way.
Alcantara later stamped his class over Ghareeb, dropping just three games to cap
the Filipinos’ domination of their tie that put them on track for a place in Group
I next year. “I’m so happy with the performance of all our players. Their international
exposure the past months really showed in this tie. I’m confident that we could
move back to Group 1 next year with this team,” said team manager and Philippine
Tennis Association chairman Jean Henri Lhuillier.
After dispatching Kuwait in emphatic fashion, the team has set its sights on arch
rival Chinese Taipei as it steps up its drive towards a return to Group I. “I feel
we have a better shot than we had last year,” said Phl non-playing team captain
Karl Santamaria, moments after the Filipinos swept the opening singles and the doubles
over the weekend.
Fil-Am Treat Conrad Huey and US-schooled Alcantara demolished Abdulrahman Alawadhi
and Abdulhamid Mubarak, 6-1, 6-1, 6-2, in the doubles to seal their Davis Cup Asia-Oceania
Group II tie.
Patrombon, the country’s No. 1 with a world singles ranking of 1198, handily took
out Alawadhi while Ruben Gonzales outlasted Kuwait No. 1 Mohammad Ghareeb, 7-6 (2),
6-3, 1-6, 6-7 (6), 5-5 (ret.), in last Friday’s opening singles that gave the hosts
a commanding 2-0 lead.
Then Huey and Alcantara hammered in the one-sided match-clinching doubles victory.
The Phl will next take on Taipei either at Valle Verde, Camarines Sur or Bacolod
City on July 15-17.
Chinese Taipei defeated Malaysia, 3-1, behind Huang Liang Chi’s 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 win
over Mohd Assri Merzuki in yesterday’s reverse singles.
The Phl has beaten Chinese Taipei in their first four meetings but lost two in a
row, including a heartbreaking 2-3 defeat at the Plantation Bay two years ago and
a 1-3 setback in Kaoshiung, Chinese Taipei last year.
Alcantara, who didn’t see action in the Chinese Taipei tie last year because of
his US studies, said the team is eyeing no less than redemption.
“It will be a good match because of the revenge factor,” said Alcantara, unbeaten
in all four doubles matches with Huey.
Santamaria also said the Phl’s chances improved without Lu Yen Hsun, who is ranked
94th in the world.
“He isn’t playing anymore,” said Santamaria, referring to Lu, who was listed in
the Chinese Taipei roster versus Malaysia but didn’t play.
The Phl also hopes to bank on the proverbial home crowd.
“We will be having the homecourt advantage and I think it will be a big factor,”
said Lhuillier.
Source: philstar.com