PH Cuppers bow to Taiwanese

Ruben Gonzales. Inquirer File Photo

Chinese Taipei edged Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine Davis Cup, 3-1, Sunday night in their Asia/Oceania Group 2 semifinal tie following a decisive victory in the rain-delayed fourth rubber in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Taiwanese top player Lu Yen-hsun edged Ruben Gonzales, 6-2, 6-2, 6-4, in the reverse singles match which was halted by heavy rains at the outdoor courts.

Organizers decided to transfer to Tainan, which was two hours away, to finish the match.

The fifth and last rubber match was not played anymore.

Chinese Taipei will advance to the Group 2 finals against Pakistan in a hope to come back to the elite Group 1 next year.

The Filipinos will stay in Group 2 in 2016 for a fifth straight year.

The country had a dismal opening singles after Jeson Patrombon, the PH No. 1 player, fell to Hung Jui-chen (6-2, 6-2, 6-1), while Patrick John Tierro bowed to Chinese Taipei top player Lu Yen-hsun (6-2, 6-2, 6-1) last Friday.

But Gonzales and Huey kept the campaign alive following a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-3) triumph against Peng Hsien-yin and Lee Hsin-han in Saturday’s doubles.