| |
|
PHILIPPINES STUNS THAILAND TO WIN MEN’S TENNIS TEAM GOLD
By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Sun, 13 Dec 2009
Demonstrating nerves of steel and a fighting heart the Philippines beat top seeds and overwhelming favorites Thailand to win the men’s team gold medal in tennis in the 25th Southeast Asian Games in Vientiane, Laos late Saturday.
Cecil Mamiit and lefty Treat Huey who stepped up to take the place of another fine player in Eric Taino who quit competitive tennis a couple of years ago, gave the Philippines a cherished gold in a gripping doubles victory that went into a final set tiebreak with pandemonium breaking out in the stands as Laotian fans cheered our players and celebrated their epic victory.
After splitting the two singles matches and the first two sets of the crucial doubles, the tandem of Mamiit and Huey were up a break in the third set leading 5-3 before the Thai doubles pair of the famous twins Sonchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana evened the count at 5-5 and even had match-point in the deciding set.
But they never reckoned with the fighting heart and grim determination of Mamiit and Huey who eventually clawed back to force a tiebreak before winning the classic showdown 6-4/3-6/7-6 to add one more precious gold to the distressing tally of 8 golds which put the Philippines in sixth place with the same number of gold medals as the tiny host nation of Laos.
Huey got the Philippines off to a rousing start by beating Kittinpong of Thailand 6-4/1-6/7-6 in the opening singles but the Thais quickly evened the score with their ace singles player Danai Udomchoke overpowering Mamiit in straight sets 6-4/6-2 setting the stage for the crucial doubles match. .
Mamiit who stunned Udomchoke by winning the gold medal in Manila in the Men’s singles in the 2005 SEA Games failed to duplicate that form but in the men’s doubles Mamiit and Huey avenged the 2005 loss in doubles to the Ratiwatana twins who won the gold leaving Mamiit and Taino to settle for the silver medal.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN" , Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts , Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS , Fri, 13 Feb 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Fri, 13 Feb 2026Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open , Thu, 12 Feb 2026Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA , Thu, 12 Feb 2026Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs , Thu, 12 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand , Wed, 11 Feb 2026Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now , Wed, 11 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced , Wed, 11 Feb 2026IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV , Wed, 11 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|