By REY C. LACHICA
The 4-1 triumph of the Philippines Davis Cup team over Indonesia in their Asia Oceania Zone Group II tie held in Jakarta recently was not only impressive, but also a redemption of sorts.
That’s how Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) president Atty. Antonio Cablitas described the team’s victory as the team conquered the odds and broke the hearts of those who wanted them to fail in their mission.
Cablitas said that two days before the start of the tie, a member of a rival group –assuming dual roles – attempted to derail the country’s participation by questioning the team’s nomination of players allegedly he was labeled just a “named” president of Philta and not an elected one.
“That’s why I labeled this victory a vindication because of the trouble we went through. Appalling pattern of events and moves transpired two days before the tie,” said Cablitas.
“Labeling me as merely ‘named’ President is a brazen lie. I was elected Philta President by majority of Philta Board of Trustees in a duly convened meeting held in accordance with the Philta By-Laws,” said Cablitas.
Cablitas is currently in Bahrain to support the PH women’s team in the ongoing Fed Cup.
The Presidential Adviser on Investments believes that there is an unholy alliance by and between certain international and local sports officials to bring him down and install people with obvious business interest.
“I am ready to face the ITF (International Tennis Federation) Board of Directors and bring to their attention the group’s sinister moves,” added Cablitas who turned as the team’s No. 1 cheerer during the competition.
Cablitas was glad that AJ Lim has risen to the challenge, going 2-0 this time.
He also cited the gutsy efforts of Francis Casey Alcantara and Jurence Zosimo Mendoza for winning the crucial doubles that gave them a 2-1 lead.
For Lim, their win over Indonesia was a very sweet one as he avenged his five-set loss to David Susanto last year with a 6-3, 6-4 win that all but settled the issue.
Rookie John Bryan Otico also shone for the Davis Cup team by applying the finishing touches with a win over Anthony Susanto.
Jeson Patrombon, another Philippine team tennis mainstay, completed the country’s Davis Cup line-up.
The Philippine Davis Cup team’s convincing victory was witnessed by Cablitas, Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Amb.
Maria Lumen B. Isleta, the embassy staff, and some members of the Filipino community who rooted at the gallery.
