Hardcourt, late sked in Iriga Davis Cup tie

The Philippines has opted for a new playing surface and a late playing schedule when it hosts Pacific Oceania in their Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group 2 tie set Feb. 10 to 12 in Iriga, Camarines Sur.

Instead of the clay-shell courts favored by the Filipinos in previous ties, the three-day event will be played on the hardcourt inside the 2,000-seater University of St. Anthony arena in Iriga, with Slazenger as the official ball.

The Philippine Tennis Association, led by Rep. Edwin Olivarez, also scheduled the start of the singles matches at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. for the doubles.

Philta vice president and DC administrator Randy Villanueva said they are hoping for maximum attendance by moving the matches later in the day after the festivities in Iriga City.

“The city is having a week-long festival and we would like the people to go to the matches right after the day’s activities,” said Villanueva, referring to the Tinagba 2012 Gayon Bicol Festival.

The Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine team, ranked 41st, is composed of Treat Huey, Ruben Gonzales, Johnny Arcilla and Jeson Patrombon, with Cecil Mamiit as nonplaying team captain.

After losing all their three Group 1 ties last year, the Filipinos are hoping to best the 66th-ranked Pacific Oceania, which has not reached Group 1, and beat Iran (4-1) last year to stay in Group 2.