MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine Davis Cup team suffered a double blow as Filipino netters Cecil Mamiit and Treat Conrad Huey lost their respective matches to their Japanese foes on Friday at the Namihaya Dome indoor court in Osaka, Japan.

Huey lost to Tatsuma Ito despite putting up a gallant stand in the opening match of the Davis Cup tennis Asia-Oceania zone Group 1.

The scores were 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in favor of Ito after 3 hours and 30 minutes of play.

“He lost his serve in the 10th game of the 5th set,” said RP team coordinator Randy Villanueva of Huey.

“It was really a tough game. Maybe the home crowd got the best of him.”

Mamiit later lost to Japan’s top player Go Soeda, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

RP team coach Chris Cuarto earlier admitted that the home court advantage could affect the team. “The surface, on the environment, doon lang talaga tayo medyo maapektuhan,” he said.

The Philippine team is composed of Huey, Mamiit, Francis Casey Alcantara and Johnny Arcilla.

Next to play are doubles partners Alcantara and Arcilla, who will face Toshihide Matsui and Takao Suzuki on Saturday.