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[LVL]

from Manila Bulletin Online
By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA

Aspiring national players, particularly for the Davis Cup team, will have to pass through stringent test this year after the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) came up with new guidelines in forming the squad.


RP Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva said the guidelines aim to strengthen the country’s chances of reclaiming its berth in Group I of the Asia-Oceania Zone and enhancing the locals chances of making the elite World Group composed of the top 16 tennis nations in the world.

Villanueva said two players will be chosen by Philta officials, one player will be determined by the team captain and the last player will be decided through the Metro Open People’s Championship tentatively set on Feb. 22 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

"This was decided during our meeting (last Thursday). Through these guidelines, we’ll definitely get the best Filipino players to represent our country in Davis Cup ties," Villanueva said.

The Philippines, seeded first in Group II this year, will meet Hong Kong in the group quarterfinals on March 6 to 8 in Hong Kong.

"We will make it difficult for athletes to make it to the team. They must prove that they deserve to be in the team," Villanueva stressed.

Villanueva added they are still looking at Fil-American Cecil Mamiit to steer the squad, but refused to give any details on the status of their negotiations.

Villanueva added that the Philta is eyeing any possibilities of recruiting Fil-foreign players.

Villanueva said that interestingly, the People’s Championship will give all players – whether veterans or neophytes – the chance to join the Davis Cup squad.

So far, Villanueva said they are still campaigning for cash donations from tennis supporters to finance the tournament.

"At this moment, we have P175,000 cash donations from players, parents, coaches and fans who are helping us organize the tournament," Villanueva said adding that long-time tennis patron Jean Henri Lhuillier has pledged his support to the event.

"He (Lhuillier) said he will match whatever amount we will be able to raise."

The RP team has a 5-0 record against Hong Kong which the nationals last met in a Group II tie in 2004 at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City where Johnny Arcilla, Joseph Victorino, Adelo Abadia and Patrick John Tierro scored a 4-1 victory.

"We are optimistic of our chances against Hong Kong. Marami tayong natutunan when we played in Group I and we hope that we will apply all those in this tie," Villanueva said.

[LVL]

Philta sets Metro Open next month


By Marc Anthony Reyes
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:25:00 01/29/2009


MANILA, Philippines—A slot in the Philippine Davis Cup team is at stake to the singles winner of the Metro Open Peoples Championships scheduled Feb. 22-28 at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

This was announced on Wednesday by the Philippine Lawn Tennis Association (Philta) national executive committee which is holding the event with funds donated by all stakeholders of the sport.

Philta vice president for development Randy Alcantara said the event will be “like a tryout for all Pinoys who want to be a Davis Cupper.”

The Philippines will be tracing its steps back to Group 1 in the Asia Oceania zone when it takes on Hong Kong in March. The country was relegated to Group 2 after a string of three tie losses last year.

The organizers have so far raised P218,600 from volunteers as of Jan. 26. Villanueva said long-time tennis patron Jean Henri Lhuillier has promised to match whatever amount they could raise to make the event a success.

Davis Cup veterans Cecil Mamiit, Johnny Arcilla and PJ Tierro and upstarts Jeson Patrombon and Francis Casey Alcantara will join the tournament that is patterned after the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) Open.

[LVL]

Tierro wins to join the RP Davis Cup team.

From gmanews.tv

MANILA, Philippines – Davis Cup non-playing team captain Chris Cuarto describes the RP team that will play Hong Kong in an Asia-Oceania Zone Group II first round tie from March 6 to 8 as a "complete team" capable of winning on foreign soil.

Patrick John Tierro, who topped the 1st Metro Open People’s Tennis Championships men’s singles, completes the four-man Davis Cup team versus Hong Kong alongside Fil-Ams Cecil Mamiit and Treat Conrad Huey and 17-year-old Australian Juniors doubles champion Francis Casey Alcantara.

“This is a complete team because we have Mamiit and Tierro who are good singles players while Huey is a doubles specialist," said Cuarto in a press conference of the Davis Cup team held Saturday night.

Huey, whose mother is a Filipina and carries the Philippines where ever he plays, is ranked 534th by the ITF in doubles play.

“Doubles is an important event because it may decide the outcome of the tie and having Huey to play with Mamiit will strengthen our goal," added Cuarto.

Tennis patron Jean Henri Lhuillier also attended the press conference and is confident with the team’s chances of against host Hong Kong, which has nominated Martin Sayer, Michael Lai, Brian Hung and Yu Hiu-ting for this tie.

The four Hong Kong players are veterans of the Davis Cup tie but Lhuillier is confident the RP team will be able to emerge victorious.

“The players have shown eagerness, readiness and determination to play for the country and win. And I feel we have a strong team here," added Lhuillier.

Cuarto, Tierro and Alcantara will depart for Hong Kong on Tuesday and will Mamiit and Huey who will fly from the US.

The team will have two days to practice at the Victoria Park Tennis Center which offers a hard surface.

Day one on Friday will feature opening singles while the doubles match will be played Saturday. If necessary, the two reversed singles will be held Sunday with all matches set at 2 pm Hong Kong time.

The two countries played each other five times in 1974, 1982, 1989, 1998 and 2004 with Philippines winning all ties.

Tierro and Johnny Arcilla were part of the 2004 team with the 6’1" Tierro defeating Yu, 6-4, 6-1, who was then considered Hong Kong’s top player.

Arcilla who retired in the fourth set due to inner thigh muscle strain in Saturday’s finals match, was offered a free trip to Hong Kong but he has yet to make up his mind on whether he would accept the offer. GMANews.Tv

[clyde_aya]

anu ung mga group 1 and group 2? anu po difference?

[Addie_56ers]

anu ung mga group 1 and group 2? anu po difference?

 Clyde my understanding is ..ang group 1 mas higher ang category sa group 2 .. kaya mas maganda kung makaposok tayo sa group 1 para may chance sa world group if i remember it right the last time nakapasok tayo sa world group .eh yung time ni SLP the great with barrientos and roland so.

[clyde_aya]

anu ung mga group 1 and group 2? anu po difference?

 Clyde my understanding is ..ang group 1 mas higher ang category sa group 2 .. kaya mas maganda kung makaposok tayo sa group 1 para may chance sa world group if i remember it right the last time nakapasok tayo sa world group .eh yung time ni SLP the great with barrientos and roland so.

now i know. prng the same lng cia sa mga tournament na cnslhan q sa PHILTA. May mga Groups din.