Philippines clinches Davis Cup semis berth with doubles rout of Kuwait

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines clinched a spot in the 2016 Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group II semifinals with a one-sided trouncing of Kuwait in the doubles matchup at Valle Verde Country Club on Saturday, March 5.

Treat Huey and Francis “Niño” Alcantara needed just 90 minutes and 3 sets to down Abdulrhaman Alawadhi and Abdulhamid Mubarak of Kuwait (6-1, 6-1, 6-2) to move to 3-0 following the Philippines’ back-to-back singles wins on Friday.

The Philippines is now 3-0 all-time against Kuwait in the Davis Cup.

“Treat and Niño played unbelievably well tonight. I’m so happy with the performance of all our players in this tie. I’m excited to face stronger opposition in the next round. I strongly believe our team has got what it takes to move back to Group 1 next year,” said team manager Jean Henri Lhuillier.

Sunday’s matches, which begin at 2 pm, are now non-bearing and will be reduced from best-of-5 sets matches to best-of-3. Jeson Patrombon will face Mubarak (replacing the injured Mohammad Al-Ghareeb) while Huey, who will play next week at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, will play singles against Alawadhi in the second match.

What’s next for PH #DavisCup player @TreatHuey? The @BNPPARIBASOPEN at Indian Wells next week @RapplerSports pic.twitter.com/2PXdOHbooU

— Ryan Songalia (@ryansongalia) March 5, 2016

The Philippines, which is trying to earn a promotion to Group I for the first time since 2011, will face the winner of the Chinese Taipei vs Malaysia tie in July, which also takes place in the Philippines. – Rappler.com