PH Cuppers rank 10th in Asia

DESPITE an extended five-year stay in Group 2, the Philippine Davis Cup has been ranked 10th in Asia.

The Asian Tennis Federation has cited the Philippines as among the “Asian strength in Davis Cup,” which has been “pushing its way to the top of the World Team Championships.”

The Philippines, composed this year of Treat Huey, Ruben Gonzales, John Patrick Tierro and Francis Casey Alcantara, blanked Sri Lanka in the Group 2 first round, 5-0. But it stayed in the group after falling to Chinese Taipei in the semifinals held in Kaohsiung, 1-3.

The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed squad played in Group 1 in 2010 and 2011 and came very close in 2013 only to drop its Group 2 final meeting against New Zealand.

Kazhakstan and Japan are ranked 1 and 2, respectively owing to their stints in the World Group. India and Uzbekistan, which are in the World Group playoffs, occupy the next two rungs in that order.

South Korea, now in Group 1, is ranked fifth, while Chinese Taipei, which is in the Group 2 final, is sixth followed by China, a Group 1 campaigner.

Pakistan, Thailand and the Philippines are ranked 8th to 10th.

India is battling powerhouse Czech Republic in the World Group Playoffs in a home tie.