Philippines bows to Thailand anew in Davis Cup

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines dropped its doubles match on Saturday as Thailand posted an insurmountable 3-0 lead and clinched the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group 2 tie in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

Seven-time Southeast Asian Games champions Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana routed Francis Casey Alcantara and Jurence Zosimo Mendoza, 6-4, 7-5, giving the Thais the win regardless of the outcome of the reverse singles.

The Philippines non-playing captain Chris Cuarto said that was the only tie for the country this year as the International Tennis Federation began its new rules on Davis Cup.

“We still don’t know what happens next as per the ITF referee, we only have one tie this year,” said Cuarto.

Alcantara described the new rules as “weird” as they don’t know whether the Philippines slides into relegation tie or stay in Group 2 until next year.

Jeson Patrombon and Alberto Lim bowed to their respective opponents Friday.

Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul handily defeated 18-year-old Filipino hotshot Lim, 6-4, 7-6 (4), while Palaphoom Kovapitukted overcame Patrombon, 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.

Bryan Otico was playing the dead rubber against Kasidit Samrej at presstime.