source: Kristel Satumbaga | www.mb.com.ph

The Philippine Davis Cup team expressed guarded optimism when it battles New Zealand in the final round of the Asia Oceania Zone Group II next month.

RP non-playing team captain Chris Cuarto on Sunday said the squad doesn’t want to take anyone lightly, especially at this crucial stage where the victor in the finals secure a ticket to the elite Group I next year.

“We’re confident, especially that we have the advantages, but mas maganda na ’yung mas prepared. This is the most important tie,” Cuarto said.

The Filipinos and Kiwis arranged a final showdown after racing to unbeatable 3-0 leads over their respective semis rivals.

The RP team secured a spot in the final round with a 3-0 win in their best-of-five tie against Pakistan on Saturday, while New Zealand also roared to a 3-0 lead over Indonesia.

Fil-Am Treat Huey started the country’s campaign on a high note with a 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 win over Aqeel Khan, while Mamiit beat Khan’s younger brother, Jalil, 6-1, 6-2, 6-1, in Friday’s matches before teaming up with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 triumph over the elder Khan and Jibran Muhammadi in Saturday’s doubles.

The meaningless reverse singles were being played at press time.

The tie against New Zealand on Sept. 18 to 20 will be held in Manila, and Cuarto said they are looking at the possibility of holding it again at Philippine Columbian Association (PCA) claycourts where the Filipinos have a lot of success.

“That’s a possibility, since they (Kiwis) like playing in fast surface. At the same time, we now saw that our players, especially Cecil and Treat, are strong in shell clay courts at the PCA,” said Cuarto.

Cuarto added he and Philippine Tennis Association officials will immediately sit down to discuss preparations for the tie against New Zealand.

Mamiit and Huey will fly back to the United States where they will resume their campaign and are expected to get different exposures in the United States since they are both based there.

The two netters are scheduled to leave today.

The RP team has won twice in three meetings against the Kiwis, the last time at the New Zealand grasscourt in 2007, 4-1.

Aside from Mamiit, also in the RP team in that tie was another Fil-Am in Eric Taino.

The Kiwis will be bannered by veteran Raniel King-Turner and three newcomers Adam Thompson, G.D. Jones, and Jose Statam — all are competing in Futures tournaments.

“We have to watch out for them,” Cuarto said.