Phl Davis Cuppers bow to Thais

The Philippines took bitter losses one after the other yesterday and bowed to Thailand, 4-1, in their Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group 2 tie at the PCA shell-clay courts.

A supportive crowd came to cheer on the Filipino netters, who just couldn’t hold their ground, losing the crucial doubles in the morning and then a mustwin reverse singles match past noon.

Old hand Johnny Arcilla teamed up with Niño Alcantara against the twins from Thailand, Sonchat and Sanchai Ratiwatana, but after winning the first set, they allowed their 36-year-old rivals to steal the match, 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-1.

That gave the Thais, ranked No. 43 in the world and six rungs higher than the Filipinos, a 2-1 lead following a split of the opening singles Saturday.

Jeson Patrombon then entered the court in a must-win situation against Thailand’s top player, Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul, who at No. 433 in the world, is far higher than the Filipino.

But Patrombon played better than his world ranking, and dragged the Thai player with perhaps the longest name in tennis into a tight three-set match that lasted two hours 20 minutes.

Trongcharoenchaikul celebrated his 25th birthday on the court, and didn’t let Patrombon spoil his special day despite losing the second set. The match ended at 6-4, 1-6, 7-5, giving the Thais an insurmountable 3-1 lead.

Palaphoom Kovapitukted sealed the romp for the Thais with a 6-4, 6-3 win over 18-year-old John Bryan Otico.

“It’s a happy birthday,” said the Thai ace after the win that sent his team to the next round, against either Lebanon and Hong Kong, for a chance to move up to Group 1 next year.

With the defeat, the Filipinos kissed goodbye yet another shot at advancing to Group 1. The last time the Philippines got that far in Davis Cup was in 2011.