Lucky 3rd

WILL the third time be a charm for the Philippine Davis Cup team?

This will be the third time that Lapu-Lapu City will be hosting the Davis Cup. In 2011, it hosted the tie against Japan and Chinese Taipei. Both times, the Philippines lost. But when the Philippines hosted two more ties last year—in Camarines Sur in February against Pakistan and Manila in April against Pacific Oceania, PHL team won.

In their return to Cebu, player Johnny Arcilla wants to prove that Lapu-Lapu’s hosting of the Davis Cup is not jinxed.

“I will make sure that we will win this time,” said Arcilla, who is among the official line-up of the PHL team for the upcoming Davis Cup Asia/Oceania tie between Philippines and Syria on Feb. 1-3 at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.

Arcilla, 32, who recently won the Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) men’s open singles championship title is currently under training with the Philippine Tennis Association (PTA) as he is set to leave for Melbourne to compete in the Kia Amateur Australian Open Tennis Championships on Jan. 23-28.

“This is my first time to compete in this tournament and this is a good way to prepare for the Davis Cup. First time sad nako to play Syria,” Arcilla said.

Arcilla will be joined by Treat Conrad Huey, Elbert “Onyok” Anasta and former junior davis cupper Robin Gonzalez with Roland Kraut and head coach Chris Cuarto in the official lineup.

The official line-up of team Syria will composed of team manager Wassim Zinnia, team captain Feras Dahbos, players Marc Abdelnour, Issam Taweel,Amer Naow Yacoub Makhzoune and Majdi Salim.

According to Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) Vice-President for men’s and women’s Davis Cup Administrator Fernando “Randy” Villanueva said he believes that this year’s PHL line-up will finally win a Davis Cup tie.

“We have a very competitive line-up. All of them have already played at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa tennis court and familiar na nila ang venue,” Villanueva said.