Syrians no pushovers, says Huey

Despite homecourt edge, the Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine Davis Cup team can’t just look past Syria when they clash Feb. 1 to 3 in their Asia-Oceania Group 2 tie set at Plantation Bay Spa and Resort in Lapu-Lapu City.

Treat Huey, the 27-year-old PH team leader who arrived yesterday from Melbourne where he played in the Australian Open, said the Syrians are no pushovers and boast of crack players with foreign roots like Syrian-Canadian Marc Abdelnuor and Syrian-Egyptian Issam Tawil.

Abdelnuor is ranked 966, while Tawil is 926 in the world in singles.

“They are a very dangerous team,” admitted Philippine Tennis Association vice president and Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva of the Syrian team which will arrive in Cebu on Jan. 27.

Also playing for Syria are Yacoub Makzoume and Majdi Salim, while Feras Dahbos is non-playing captain in the event  supported by Smart Sports and Yonex balls.

The hosts will also be bannered by Ruben Gonzales, ranked 825th in the singles with veterans Elbert Anasta and Johnny Arcilla completing the team. Roland Kraut is the  Philippine non-playing captain.