Davis Cup triumph boosts RP hopes

MANILA,Philippines–Tennis ace Cecil Mamiit expects the national team to build on its dramatic 3-2 triumph over host South Korea recently that kept the Philippines in Group 1 of the Asia/Oceania Davis Cup.   “It’s a very good warm-up for the Asian Games,” said the 34-year-old Mamiit. “It gives us the confidence that we belong in the  top Asian groups, especially that they (Koreans) are the defending Asian Games team champion. Anything is possible.”   Randy Villanueva, vice president of the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta), said officials also plan to expose local athletes to top caliber  players by hosting more international tournaments, including  a couple of ITF Men’s Future tournaments next year.   “We need all the help that we can get and we are determined to host this kind of event,” said Villanueva, noting that each leg may cost the country $60,000.   “The campaign to reach the World Group of the Davis Cup is alive again,” Villanueva said during the PSA Forum yesterday at Shakey’s UN Avenue.   “I think that win against Korea was really significant for our campaign. India was able to reach the World Group proper. Kazakhstan, another country in the Asia/Oceania zone, is also in the World Group proper now. Two teams from Asia is in the World Group proper, so we have a bigger chance to reach the World Group next year.”