BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Philippine Davis Cuppers are reuniting for one common goal – win a gold or two in the 30th Southeast Asian Games.
Fil-Am Treat Huey spearheads the squad composed of Ruben Gonzales, Francis Casey Alcantara, Jeson Patrombon and AJ Lim in their bid to eclipse the two silver, two bronze-medal haul in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur edition.
“It has been an honor representing the country in the tournaments that I play all over the world, but this upcoming one will be even better,” Huey said.
“To be able to play at home will be incredible and I am very much looking forward to giving it all and going for the gold.”
The same men’s squad has represented the country is past Davis Cup ties, where the country is currently at Group II in the Asia Oceania Zone.
Their familiarity and team chemistry will fuel their medal bid along with female teammates Marian Capadocia, Denise Dy, Khim Iglupas, Clarice Patrimonio and Shaira Rivera.
Huey, a pro doubles player, is expected to team up with Dy once again to reclaim the mixed doubles gold they won at the 2015 Singapore edition.
“My teammates and I have great chemistry, especially Ruben, Francis and I, who have all played together for a number of years on the Davis Cup team,” Huey said.
The battle for the podium is going to be tough as far as Huey is concerned, with fellow Davis Cuppers also representing in other squads like Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana of Thailand and Christopher Rungkat of Indonesia, who ruled the men’s doubles and men’s singles in the previous edition.
Also returning is reigning women’s singles champion Luksika Kumkhum of Thailand.
Tennis competition fires off on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center.
