By Kristel Satumbaga
The Philippine Davis Cup team is treating its World Group II playoff tie loss to Greece as a blessing in disguise, vowing to strive to be better in future ties.
Philippines' Ruben Gonzales returns the ball to the Greeks in the doubles match of Davis Cup World Group II playoff tie at the Philippine Columbian Association claycourt in Paco, Manila, March 7, 2020. (MB Photo / Mark Balmores)
The Filipino Cuppers yielded to the visiting Greeks 4-1 to get relegated to the Regional Group III under the new tournament format.
Team captain Chris Cuarto said the experience is “a mix of good and bad things” as it opened doors for improvement for the Filipino players.
“I think we’re still okay. We’re not bad but still, a lot of things have to be done as well,” he said.
“It’s a good exposure especially playing against the world No. 6,” Cuarto said, referring to Greece’s main man Stefanos Tsitsipas.
“Not everyday you get to play that kind of player because it’s a totally serious match for him (Tsitsipas); not an exhibition. It was really tough facing a team with a player like him.”
Philippines' AJ Lim reacts at the bench during the singles match of Davis Cup World Group II playoff tie against World No. 6 Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece at the Philippine Columbian Association claycourt in Paco, Manila, March 6, 2020. (MB Photo / Ali Vicoy)
The Filipinos lost all their singles matches with AJ Lim yielding to Stefanos and Jeson Patrombon losing to Petros Tsitsipas in similar 6-2, 6-1 scores; Jed Olivarez bowed to Petros 6-4, 7-5 in the dead fifth rubber
Cuarto is thankful despite the outcome, especially after seeing Francis Casey Alcantara and Ruben Gonzales’ 7-6 (5), 6-4 win over Petros and Marko Kalovelonis for the PH team’s lone win.
Philippines' Ruben Gonzales returns the ball to the Greeks in the doubles match of Davis Cup World Group II playoff tie at the Philippine Columbian Association claycourt in Paco, Manila, March 7, 2020. (MB Photo / Mark Balmores)
Even Greece’s team captain Dimitris Chatzinikolaou was impressed with Alcantara and Gonzales’ talent and chemistry.
“I think that you have great doubles players. When we did the first break in the first set and break in the second set, they increased their level and took the break back. I think it was better than our team,” he said.
Petros Tsitsipas of Greece serves the ball to the Filipinos in the doubles match of Davis Cup World Group II playoff tie at the Philippine Columbian Association claycourt in Paco, Manila, March 7, 2020. (MB Photo / Mark Balmores)
With the experience, Cuarto hopes they’d get more exposure particularly for the singles players. But it’s going to be difficult.
“More tournaments mean more funding. It’s tough. Tennis is a difficult sport because you have to build on it. It’s not like one time, that’s it. Our (Philippine Tennis Association) president is very generous in getting sponsors for the players but one man cannot do it alone,” he said.