Tennis impasse threatens SEAG stint
There seems to be no end to the problems hounding Philippine tennis.
This after the Philippine Tennis Association once again postponed its election originally scheduled Friday.
The Philta election was originally set for Feb. 8.
The latest postponement was reportedly caused by the holiday declared Friday because of the country’s hosting of the Asean summit.
Erstwhile Philta chair Jean Henri Lhuillier expressed disappointment over the fourth stalling of the elections which he claimed could jeopardize the country’s stint in the Southeast Asian Games in August.
Already, the Philippines blew its Davis Cup second round stint when Treat Huey, Ruben Gonzales and Francis Casey Alcantara withdrew from the tie early this month.
Huey, Gonzales and Alcantara are funded by Lhuillier, who has already pulled out support of Philta along with several other sponsors.
“I don’t understand all these postponements anymore. Someone who has a vested interest is clearly behind this,” said Lhuillier.
Long-time Philta president Salvador “Buddy” Andrada said he is already hands-off on the issue but also expressed dismay with the recent development.
“We should hold this immediately to save the country’s participation in the upcoming SEA Games,” said Lhuillier, who questioned the appointment of new Philta board member in lawyer Antonio Cabiltas.
“Something’s fishy with that. Why do that now? The timing and method are very questionable. It was hastily done and there was not even a quorum,” added Lhuillier in a statement.
