THE embattled Philippine team needs to sweep Sunday’s reverse singles with New Zealand for outright promotion in Group 1 of the Davis Cup.
The Filipino netters managed to stay alive in their Asian-Oceania Group II best-of-five tie late Saturday night after Treat Huey and Francis Alcantara beat Artem Sitak and Marcus Daniell, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to win the doubles event in a rain-delayed game.
The victory cut down the Kiwis’ series lead at 1-2 heading into the final two games at the Plantation Bay in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.
As of post time, no changes in the lineup has been made by both teams, which meant Ruben Gonzales will battle Jose Statham, and Johnny Arcilla takes on Michael Venus in the reverse singles.
The Filipino Cuppers found themselves down in the hole 0-2 after Gonzales and Arcilla lost the first two singles Friday night.
Hampered by a hurting right leg, Gonzales lost a tough five-set against Venus, 4-6, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (4), 6-0, while Arcilla absorbed a 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 beating against Statham.
The last time the Philippines won a Davis Cup tie after being down 0-2 came in 2011 against Korea.
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