Huey, partner bag runnerup plum in Germany

FILIPINO- American Treat Conrad Huey and partner Dominic Inglot of Great Britain settled for the runnerup honors in the Heilbronn Challenger 2012 held in Heilbronn, Germany.

Huey and Inglot blasted Sander Groen of the Netherlands and Marco Zelch of Germany in the first round, 6-0, 6-2, then stunned the second- seeded tandem of Julian Knowle of Austria and Michael Kohlmann of Germany in he quarterfinals, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 16-14.

The Filipino- British duo continued its giant-killing by ousting the No. 3 team of Lukas Dlouhy of Czech Republic and Alexander Waske of Germany in the semifinals, 7-6 (5), 6- 4, but fell short against Johan Brunstrom of Sweden and Frederik Nielsen of Denmark in the finals, 36, 6-3, 6-10.

Nonetheless, Huey improved his Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) ranking to 51st, four notches higher than his previous spot.

The 25-year-old Huey is gearing for the 2012 season of the AsiaOceania Davis Cup Group II tie scheduled on February 10 to 12 at the University of St. Anthony tennis courts in Iriga City.

National coach Chris Cuarto predicted a 5- 0 win when the Philippines takes on the visiting Pacific-oceania side.

“Our players have enough exposures and won numerous international competitions. They will be more inspired because they will be playing before the hometown crowd,” said Cuarto during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.

Joining Huey in the national team are Jeson Patrombon, Johnny Arcilla and Ruben Gonzales while Cecil Mamiit will serve as non- playing team captain.