Lim: Philta politics hurts Cuppers’ bid

The leadership crisis hounding Philippine tennis has unsettled the players of the national team.

Davis Cup player AJ Lim on Monday called for unity among the sport’s major stakeholders after his three PH squad teammates begged off from the country’s tie against Thailand starting Friday in Bangkok.

Citing various injuries, Filipino-Americans Treat Huey, Ruben Gonzales and Niño Alcantara are skipping the tie, significantly reducing the chances of the squad that beat Indonesia, 4-1, early this year.

Huey, Gonzales and Alcantara are said to sympathize with Philippine Tennis Association vice president and Davis Cup coordinator Randy Villanueva, who is embroiled in a leadership struggle in the federation.

“Politics should be left to the politicians,” said Lim, who helped power University of the East to the UAAP crown. “The sport is in bad shape now, and if they continue to quarrel, nothing will happen to us.”

Stakeholders in the sport have also pulled out their tournaments, including the PCA Open, from the Philta calendar.

Philta secretary general Romeo Magat recently announced the postponement of the Philta elections, forcing Palawan Pawnshop and Cebuana Lhuillier, sponsors of the country’s biggest age-group meets, to cut their ties with the federation.

Also withdrawing their support were Toby’s Sports, Babolat, Dunlop, Tru Flex National Age-Group, Henry Sr. Memorial Age Group and B-Meg.

Lim, who became the youngest champion in the PCA Open at 16 last year, will be joined in Bangkok by PJ Tiero and Jeson Alcantara.