MANILA, Philippines -- The Cebuana Lhuillier-Philippine team will meet Japan in Davis Cup Group 1-Asia-Oceania this coming March as it seeks to avenge its defeat to the same team two years ago.

The best-of-5 competition will take place at the Namihaya Dome in Osaka, Japan on March 5 to 7.

“Hopefully we will get our revenge from them from the last group 1 tie that we played them. It will be tough for our team because we’ll be playing in Osaka,” said non-playing team captain Chris Cuarto during Tuesday’s PSA Forum in Shakey’s UN Avenue Branch.

The forum was also attended by Cebuana Lhuillier official Danny Francisco and RP Davis Cup team coordinator Randy Villanueva.

The Philippine team will be composed of Cecil Mamiit, Treat Huey, Francis Casey Alcantara, Patrick John Tierro and Johnny Arcilla.

The Nationals collided with the Japanese team in 2008. Mamiit lost to Takao Suzuki, 7-5, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2, and Tierro yielded to Go Soeda, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. In doubles, Suzuki and Soeda combined to thwart Mamiit and Eric Taino, 6-7, 7-6, 7-6, 6-4.

If the Philippines beats Japan, it will advance to face the winner of the Australia-Chinese-Taipei tie on May 7 to 9. A successful campaign will send the Nationals into the World Group, a level it the country has not achieved since 1991.

Confident of chances
For his part, Villanueva said he is positive the Nationals can pull off a victory despite their opponent’s homecourt advantage.

Villanueva cited that the nationals have vastly improved their skills since meeting Japan 2 years ago.

“Our top player Cecil Mamiit played against their No. 1 player Soeda Go last November and he beat him in straight sets in ATP Challenge. That’s a big tournament and I think it’s a good sign. Our No. 2 player, treat Huey is playing very good lately, he beat the reigning Asian Games gold medallist Danai Udomchoke of Thailand in the Southeast Asian Games,” he said.

Cuarto said that although Japan has not yet confirmed the list of players, he is sure that their opponents are more likely to field the same squad.

“Those guys, we’ve played them before. So it’s not really a guessing game it’s only maybe on the surface, on the environment, doon lang talaga tayo medyo maapektuhan,” he said.

The matches will take place on an indoor court with carpeted surface. Also among the concerns faced by the RP team is the cold Japanese weather.

“I think our players are professionals and they have played in different conditions naman,” said Cuarto. “So we’re confident that we’ll be okay in that condition.” With a report from the Philippine Star