Late matches for PH-Syria Davis Cup showdown

The Davis Cup battle between Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippines and Syria will last up to the evening to accommodate more fans who are expected to troop to the Plantation Bay in Lapu Lapu City, organizers said Friday.

The first of the opening singles on Feb. 1 will start at 3 p.m. while the second match could go into the evening, allowing fans to catch the action after school and work.

Doubles match on Feb. 2 will begin at 6 p.m, while reverse rubbers on Feb. 3 will follow the same schedule as Day 1.

“We would like to address the concerns we had during the first two Davis Cups in 2011,” said Philippine Tennis Association vice president Randy Villanueva, referring to Lapu Lapu City’s third staging of the event.

PH team’s Treat Huey, Ruben Gonzales, Elbert Anasta and Johnny Arcilla will arrive Jan. 27 to get themselves used to the shell-clay courts.

Anasta and Arcilla hail from the Visayas region and are expected to draw the local crowd. The Syrian team is expected to plane in Feb. 28.

Also included in the organizing committee are Lapu Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, Lapu Lapu City Councilor Harry Radaza, Cebu sportswriters association head John Pages, team sponsor Cebuana Lhuillier regional head Anton Arrieta, Villanueva, and Plantation Bay general manager Efren Belarmino.