Pelti warns players of 'bias' in Davis Cup tie

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) said on Thursday their Davis Cup team must be on guard against nontechnical factors in their upcoming match against the Philippines.

Pelti spokesman Benny Mailili said the Indonesian team must be prepared mentally to accept "biased" decisions during the match.

The Indonesian Davis Cup team will face the second seeded Filipinos in the first round of the Group II Asia Oceania Zone, which will be held from Feb. 4 to Feb. 6 in the Rizal Memorial Tennis Complex in Manila.

Indonesia has invited six players -- Dede Suhendar Dinata, Suwandi, Hendri Susilo Pramono, Sebastian DaCosta, Febi Widhiyanto and Edy Kusdaryanto -- to participate in training for the Davis Cup. Only four players will be selected to play in Manila.

"There is no technical problem with us. But based on our experiences, our team could lose because of nontechnical factors, for example, a bad call. The linesmen may claim the ball to be out, when as a matter of fact it is in," he said.

The Philippines beat Indonesia 4-1 for the first time during their five encounters here in April and earned the final berth to fight for a place in Group I. Thailand was promoted to Group I, while the Philippines remained in Group II.

The Philippines sent veteran player Joseph Lizardo, Bryan Juinio and men's duo Michael Misa and Adelo Abadia, while Indonesia fielded Suwandi, Febi and men's duo Edy and Hendry.

Benny, who is also a tennis observer, said the Philippines would most likely field a team with familiar faces.

"Lizardo, Juinio and Misa have defended their country in the Davis Cup since 1997. Febi and Hendri just started in 1998. They may be aware of each other's skills," he said.

Pelti has yet to decide on the coaches to train the team. The candidates include Tintus Arianto Wibowo and Deddy Prasetyo, the nonplaying captain and coach for the 1999 Davis Cup team.

With the exception of three players, the tennis hopefuls are being accommodated at the PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) dormitory on Jl. Daan Mogot, West Jakarta.

Febi, Hendri and Edy refused to stay in the dormitory and opted to stay with their coach Deddy.

"I've made a good choice. It's better for me to return home after practice than to stay at the dormitory. I have not received any complaints from my coach," Febi said on Wednesday.

Hendri shared teammate Febi's perspective. "I prefer to go home after practice. The rules at PGN are more flexible now," he said. (ivy)