Alcantara to reinforce PH Cuppers vs Sri Lanka

MANILA, Philippines—The Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine Davis Cup team has recalled US-based Francis Casey Alcantara to reinforce the national squad against Sri Lanka when they collide this weekend in the Davis Cup Group 2 first round tie.

Alcantara, a top netter of the Pepperdine University in the US NCAA, will join regulars Patrick John Tierro, Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales during the tie that will be held for the first time at Valle Verde Country Club shell-clay courts in Pasig.

Team manager Jean Henri Lhuillier expressed optimism of the country’s chances in the tie which begins on Friday with the opening singles at 4 p.m. The doubles will be on Saturday at 3 p.m. while the reverse singles will be held the following day at 3 p.m.

Tickets are pegged at P1,000 for a three-day season pass while day passes are worth P500.

ITF referee David Smith of New Zealand will supervise the tie sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier, Yonex, Pasig City and the Philippine Sports Commission.

The PH netters, with non-playing captain Roland Kraut at the helm, have never lost to the Sri Lankans in eight outings. Karl Santamaria is PH Davis Cup head coach.

Listed to play for Sri Lanka are Sharmal Dissanayake, Harshana Godamanna, Dineshkantan Thangarajah, and Sankha Atukarale. Non-playing captain is Rohan de Silva.

The drawing of lots to determine who plays first will be held March 5 at 10 a.m. also at Valle Verde Country Club. The Philippines is looking to finally move up to Group 1 in Asia-Oceania competitions.