Mamiit says New Zealand 'true test' for Phl netters

Manila, Philippines - With its stay in Group I hanging in the balance, the Philippines takes on New Zealand in the first round relegation playoffs of the Asia-Oceania Davis Cup zone at the TSB Hub in Hawera, home of the world’s largest dairy factory complex in the Taranaki region of the north island. Two singles pairings are scheduled today with the doubles match tomorrow and the reverse singles on Sunday.

Playing on hostile soil is nothing new to the Filipino Cuppers who thrashed New Zealand, 4-1, in a Group II tie in Auckland in 2007. The Philippines also defeated South Korea, 3-2, in Changwon last year, Hong Kong, 4-1, on the road in 2009 and Kuwait, 5-0, away from home in 2007. But skipper Cecil Mamiit said facing a revamped Kiwi lineup in unfamiliar territory is a big challenge and “a true test of the direction where the Philippine Davis Cup team is headed.”

Mamiit, 35, will anchor the Philippines in his 19th Davis Cup appearance since 2006. He has powered the Philippines to 12 wins in 18 ties so far, claiming 16 singles and nine doubles victories. The other veteran in the squad is 31-year-old Johnny Arcilla who has played in 25 Davis Cup ties with the Philippines winning 14. Arcilla has won 13 singles and nine doubles matches since his Davis Cup debut in 2000. Rounding up the Philippine cast are Ruben Gonzales, 25, and Jeson Patrombon, 18.

The New Zealand team is composed of Jose Statham, 24, Michael Venus, 23, Artem Sitak, 25, and Marcus Daniell, 21. Statham has won 16 of his 20 singles matches in the Davis Cup since 2005 but one of his losses was to Mamiit, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 two years ago. Venus, based in Orlando, Florida, is the highest-ranked player in the squad at No. 305 and has played in only two ties for New Zealand so far. Sitak, a Russian, is ranked No. 380 and will play his second tie for the Kiwis. Daniell is seeing action in his fourth tie.

The first singles match will pit Gonzales against Statham and the second, Mamiit against Venus. In tomorrow’s doubles contest, Gonzales and Arcilla will team up to face Sitak and Daniell. On Sunday, Gonzales and Mamiit will switch opponents in the reverse singles encounters.

“There can’t be any predictions,” said Mamiit. “With our track record against New Zealand, I expect to win but this is a different environment as we face them in Group I and on their turf. Moving up to Group I proves that New Zealand has improved just like us. They brought in help by recruiting two new players we’ve never played before, Venus and Sitak.”

The loser of the tie will drop down to a knockout tie against Chinese-Taipei in September with the survivor staying in Group I. If the Philippines bows to New Zealand, it will host Chinese-Taipei in a do-or-die tie with the loser demoted to Group II.

Mamiit said he is confident Gonzales will play a major role in continuing the Philippines’ tradition of success against New Zealand. “Ruben has been playing all over with a lot of matches in Mexico,” said Mamiit. “It will be a test of how much he has improved from the last tie in Taiwan and the Asian Games. I believe he is looking for an opportunity to prove to the Philippines that he’s a winner and that he can bring substance to the Davis Cup team. We have shared ideas on how he can improve his fitness and how he should prepare for the Davis Cup. He’s a professional and it will be nice to see how the work on his own will show. He’s excited and eager and I think he’ll bring a positive impact on the team.”

Arcilla is an experienced player whom Mamiit said the team can count on in either singles or doubles play. “I’m glad to have Johnny also on the team as his experience is a valuable asset,” he went on. “He’s the most participated member of our Davis Cup team. He also played doubles with Ruben at the Asian Games. Unfortunately, they lost to the eventual gold medallists. Johnny will anchor the team with a calm and relaxed mood.”

In the first round of Group I competition this year, the Philippines lost to Japan, 3-1, and New Zealand was beaten by Uzbekistan, 3-2. Now, the losers are battling to stay alive in Group I and avoid a relegation knockout against Chinese-Taipei.

Joaquin Henson, Philippine Star