Huey, Gonzales get ITF Futures tourney invites

MANILA, Philippines — Top Filipino tennis players Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales have been invited to play when the country stages its first ITF Futures meet in 18 years on March 24 to 30 at Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.

Huey, who plays in main draws of top tier meets including the Grand Slams as a world-ranked player, and Gonzales have earlier commitments elsewhere but local tennis officials are still trying to get them to compete.

They are also set to play for the Philippines in the Davis Cup group 2 semifinals against Pakistan  slated in the country on April 4 to 6.

The region’s top Davis Cuppers, most of whom had seen action here, have confirmed their participation  in the $15,000 meet.

Jose Statham, who helped New Zealand deal the country a 3-2 loss in their Davis Cup  tie last year, is among those seeing action. Also in the fold are Thai ace Danai Udomchoke and Indonesian Christopher Rungkat.

Top junior netter Lee Duck-hee of Korea is also entered with Netherland’s Boy Westerhof, ranked 248 in the world, Australia’s Benjamin Mitchell, Chinese Taipei’s Ti Chen, Japan’s Shuichi Sekiguchi  and France’s Jules Marie.

Filipinos Johnny Arcilla, Patrick John Tierro, Alberto Lim Jr., Jeson Patrombon, Marc Reyes, Jerome Romualdez, Jurence Zosimo Mendoza, Eric Olivarez Jr., Pablo Olivarez Jr., and Kyle Dandan are in the alternate list for the qualifying round.