Philippines low key over its Davis Cup chances

JAKARTA (JP): The Philippines Davis Cup team is playing it low key over its chances of beating host Indonesia in the semifinals of the Group II Asia Oceania zone.

Salvador H. Andrada, president of the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta), told reporters on Sunday that he could not predict what would happen despite having more experienced players.

"Each country always expects to win, but nobody knows because playing in the Davis Cup is different from regular competitions. The ball is round. Indonesia has the advantage of the home crowd," he said.

"The players play for their country and it puts them under lots of pressure."

The Philippines sent Joseph Lizardo, Bryan Juinio, Michael Misa and Adelo Abadia here. They are accompanied by nonplaying captain Martin F. Misa, the older brother of Michael.

Lizardo and Juinio studied in the United States and played in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) matches. Juinio is world ranked 1,000, which is now superior to Lizardo, after he reached the second round and quarterfinals of the first and second legs of the Philippines Future early this month.

The Filipinos defeated Chinese Taipei 3-2 in the first playoff in Manila in February.

While the Indonesian team -- comprising Suwandi, Febi Widhiyanto, Edy Kusdaryanto and Hendri Susilo Pramono -- crashed to Qatar 5-0.

The Davis Cup match will take place on April 2 through April 4 on the Rebound Ace surfaced Senayan indoor court.

Martin Misa said after arriving at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport that his players would not have any trouble adapting to the court.

"We have prepared well for the match and I think our players are familiar with the court," he said.

However, Misa declined to say whether his players would be able to beat the Indonesians.

"Our players will do their best. No speculation."

Lizardo, the fittest among the Filipinos, said he had beaten Suwandi in the 1997 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games here but could not say if he would repeat his victory.

"It's different from 1997. However, I think I'm at my fittest. I think I'm better than when I beat him two years ago," said the 30-year-old player.

Andrada said he had expected the Indonesian Tennis Association (Pelti) to move the venue to Bali.

"Bali is quieter and I think our and your players would have a better atmosphere there. However, it's not a problem anymore. I see Jakarta is not as crowded as when I was here for the SEA Games two years ago," he said.

The Philippines had asked Indonesia to move the location to a neutral place and for the event to be rescheduled for security reasons.

Speaking of Cecil Mamiit, who reportedly declined joining the Davis Cup team, Andrada said Philta had not invited Mamiit.

"There's no need to call Mamiit. We'll prepare him for the 2000 Olympics."

He also said that Philta would hand over a US$1,000 cash bonus to the players if they beat Indonesia. (yan)