Ruben Gonzales overpowered David Agung Susanto, 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, Sunday to help the Cebuana Lhuillier-Davis Cup team clinch its tie over Indonesia at Philippine Columbian Association indoor courts in Paco, Manila.
The victory was thorough and underscored the country’s projected march to Group 1.
“It was a solid match for Ruben today,” said PH non-playing captain Karl Santamaria of his team’s goal to move out of Group 2, where they have been playing for the last six years.
“We definitely have the pieces [to go back to Group 1], but there’s a lot of work to do.”
In the dead rubber, Alberto Lim Jr. redeemed himself with a 7-5, 6-3 triumph over Anthony Susanto as the Philippines completed a 4-1 win.
The Filipino Cuppers await Thailand or Kuwait in an away tie in the Asia/Oceania Group 2 semifinals.
Team manager Jean Henri Lhuillier said the Filipinos showed that “they got the passion and hunger to go back and compete with the big boys of Group 1.”
It was Gonzales’ second win after beating Aditya Hari Sasongko (6-2, 6-2, 6-4) following the sorry loss of Lim to Susanto (3-6, 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 1-1 (retired) last Friday in the opening singles.
Treat Huey and Francis Casey Alcantara beat Susanto and Sunu-Wahyu Trijati, 6-2,
6-4, 6-4, for a 2-1 Philippine lead Saturday.