Filipinos get Davis quest going

Francis Casey ALCANTARA. Photo from ITFTennis.com

FRANCIS Casey Alcantara welcomed the challenge of being named No. 1 for the Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine Davis Cup team even as Ruben Gonzales takes the first crack at Chinese Taipei starting today.

Gonzales, named No. 2, will play against Taiwanese No. 1 Chen Ti in the first of the opening singles today in their Asia/Oceania Group 2 semifinal tie at the shell courts of Philippine Columbian Association.

Alcantara will next take on the visitors’ No. 2 Huang Liang-chi in the rubbers which start at 3 p.m.

“I’m grateful of the trust the team has given me,” said the 24-year-old Alcantara, the 2009 Australian Open doubles juniors champion. “I’m willing to take on the challenge and give my best out there.”

Treat Huey, the 2016 Wimbledon semifinalist, and Jeson Patrombon will form the doubles partnership against Hung Jui-chen and Wang Chieh-fuon Saturday at 3 p.m. Gonzales and Alcantara switch opponents in Sunday’s reverse singles starting at 1 p.m.

PH non-playing captain Karl Santamaria revealed that he mixed things up by putting Alcantara in singles and the untested doubles pair of Huey and Patrombon in the meet sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier, PSC, Yonex and Toby’s Sports.

ITF referee David Smith presided over the draw ceremony yesterday also at the PCA assisted by Philippine Tennis Association’s incoming president Salvador “Buddy” Andrada, executive vice president Manuel Misa and Philta vice president and Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva.