LAPU LAPU CITY—Despite a sudden downpour that wiped out its planned outdoor practice yesterday, the Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine Davis Cup team promised to pull off a victory against Syria this weekend.
Johnny Arcilla, the most senior of the PH Cuppers here at 33, decided to leave the island and searched for an indoor court just after breakfast yesterday just to make sure the team doesn’t skip practice as rains kept the shell-clay courts of the famed Plantation Bay Spa and Resort wrapped in canvas all day.
“We really want to deliver a victory here after two previous ties,” said Arcilla, the seven-time PCA Open singles champion. “So we wanted to make sure we are in top shape and prepared for the tie.”
Arcilla, Treat Huey, Ruben Gonzales and Elbert Anasta will collide with a team coming from war-torn Syria in the first round of the Asia-Oceania Group 2 tie.
Drawing of lots is set today at the Lapu Lapu City Hall to be presided by Mayor Paz Radaza, Councilor Harry Radaza and Plantation Bay general manager Efren Belarmino.
Philippine Tennis Association vice president and PH Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva said the hosts are ready with non-playing captain Roland Kraut even boasting that anyone can see action in the opening singles on Friday.
Leading the visitors are Syrian-Canadian Marc Abdelnuor (ranked 963rd) and Syrian-Egyptian Issam Tawil (925).
Also playing for Syria are Yacoub Makzoume and Majdi Salim with Feras Dahbos as non-playing captain in the tie sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier, Smart Sports, Yonex, Jober Electronics for lighting, Philippine Sports Commission and the Inquirer as media partner.