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Mamiit has change of heart, will play for RP Davis Cup team anew
Written by staff   
Wednesday, 25 February 2009 00:38

Mamiit has change of heart, will play for RP Davis Cup team anewCelebrated Filipino-American netter Cecil Mamiit has agreed to don the national jersey anew after accepting a counter-proposal submitted by the Philippine Tennis Association (Philta).

According to Philta president Julito Villanueva, the 5-foot-8 Mamiit will anchor the Philippine Davis Cup team that will compete in the Asia-Oceania Zone Group II first round tie in Hong Kong from March 6 to 8.

Mamiit, 32, was earlier planning to skip the match against Hong Kong after failing to get a response from Philta on some of the conditions he had laid down.

“At that point in time, we had to still consult with other groups involved with Philta. After our meeting, we were able to re-negotiate with (Mamiit) and told him what we can offer and he wrote me to say that he will play for the country," said Villanueva, who did not reveal details of the offer.

“For this Davis Cup, yes, (Mamiit) is sure to play. His return strengthens our bid against Hong Kong," said non-playing team captain Chris Cuarto.

Mamiit along with Eric Taino, another Fil-Am netter, helped brought the Philippines back from Group III in 2006 to Group I last year.

The two Fil-Ams continued to play last year but the team dropped its matches against tough rivals from Japan and Uzbekistan. Taino retired heading into the relegation tie with Kazakhstan and Mamiit along with Johnny Arcilla and Patrick John Tierro bowed to their rival as the Philippines was demoted back to Group II for 2009.

Mamiit will have a new partner in Filipino-Canadian Treat Conrad Huey with 17-year old Francis Casey “Niño" Alcantara, who won the Australian Open junior doubles division crown with with Taiwan’s Cheng-Peng Hsieh, joining them in the team.

The champion in the on-going Metro Open People’s Championships will also be part of the RP Davis Cup team.

Mamiit and the 23-year old Huey, who is a doubles specialist and ranked 534 in the International Tennis Federation overall rankings, will arrive in Hong Kong on March 1.

“We still don’t know who our opponents will be but we’ll have a few days to practice as one team and this may give us some advantage," added Cuarto.

The winner between the Philippines and Hong Kong will advance into the playoffs against the winner between Pakistan and Oman. The playoffs will be played from July 10 to 12 with the winner moving on to Group I and the loser to remaining in Group II for 2010.
 
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