Thais clinch Davis Cup tie

The Philippines will remain in Group 2 of the Davis Cup for the eighth straight year after losing the last three matches of its Asia Oceania tie to Thailand Sunday at Philippine Columbian Association shell courts.

Francis Casey Alcantara and Johnny Arcilla dropped a  4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-1 decision to  reigning Southeast Asian Games champions, twins Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana, in the morning with Jeson Patrombon later surrendering to Thai No. 1 Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5, in the first of two reverse singles that doomed the Philippines.

Palaphoom Kovapitukted made it a 4-1 ending after carving out a  6-4, 6-3 win over 18-year-old Bryan Otico in the dead rubber.

The lone win of the Filipinos, supported by Seoul Dragon City,  came Saturday courtesy of Patrombon, who beat  Jirat Navasirisomboon, 6-2, 6-2.

Thailand thus advanced to the promotional tie in the division against either Lebanon or Hong Kong.

“Those were still good matches,” the Philippines’ non-playing team captain Chris Cuarto said. “The boys played far better than what was expected of them.”