Tierro, Gonzales kick off Filipinos’ bid

MANILA, Philippines — Patrick John Tierro will launch the campaign of the Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine Davis Cup team even as Pakistan pulled off a surprise in Thursday’s draw by fielding a last-minute replacement in the Asia Oceania Group 2 semifinals Friday.

Tierro, coming off a stunning semifinal stint in last week’s Olivarez Cup-ITF Futures, will tackle 34-year-old veteran Aqeel Khan in the 10 a.m. opening singles at the shell-clay courts of the Philippine Columbian Association in Plaza Dilao, Paco, Manila.

“I’m more confident now and I can say my game is back,” said Tierro, who admitted he wasn’t that psyched up when he lost the opening singles in Sri Lanka last February. “Now I want to prove myself even more.”

Ruben Gonzales, who has focused his energy in doubles lately, will go up in the second singles against Samir Ifthikar, who was tapped at the last minute to replace Muhammad Abid.

Ifthikar, 22, played just once for Pakistan in 2011. PH non-playing coach Roland Kraut said Ifthikar was raised in the United States.

PH team manager Jean Henri Lhuillier said odds are even although the Philippines carries a 5-1 head-to-head edge and has not lost to Pakistan since 1974 in a tie held in Lahore.

Treat Huey, who ranks World No. 25 in doubles, was listed in tomorrow’s doubles along with PCA Open seven-time champ Johnny Arcilla. They will go up against World No. 27 Aisam Qureshi and Khan at 1 p.m.

Gonzales and Tierro then switch opponents in Sunday’s reverse singles.