While the Philippines is favored in the Asia Oceania Group II Davis Cup tie against Sri Lanka, PHILTA vice president Randy Villanueva, a former youth player says that ?it should be an exciting tie and we can?t take the Sri Lankans for granted although we are a little bit favored.?
Villanueva recalls that in last year?s tie in Colombo which the Philippines won 3-1, PJ Tierro lost to Harshana Godamanna, the 29 year old lefty while doubles specialist and team captain Treat Huey ?won a close match against Godamann and was cramping up in the end.?
He said the Valle Verde Country Club is a new venue with a shell court and it will be the first time a Davis Cup tie will be played there.
Villanueva disclosed that the draw will be done at 10:oo a.m. Thursday and the opening singles will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. He said unlike the usual starting time of 10:00 a.m,. they chose ?a more friendly time for the spectators who are excited about the event.?
Villanueva believes that there should be no pressure on the Philippines which leads Sri Lanka 8-0 in Davis Cup ties and instead should give the Filipinos ?more confidence considering we won again last year.?
He said Sri Lanka has a new player, 18 year old Sharmal Dissanayake who got his first ATP points in a tournament in Colombo recently and ?we?ll be looking for him.?
