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Davis Cup: Tough test awaits Filipinos as they host Thailand in Asian zonal tie

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/sports/04/03/davis-cup-2018-2018-040318.jpg"/><figcaption>Philippine national men&#x27;s tennis players AJ Lim (left) and Johnny Arcilla. Handouts</figcaption></figure></div>The Philippine national tennis team expects a tough matchup against Thailand when they battle in a Davis Cup, Asia-Oceania Zone Group II tie at the shell courts of Philippine Columbian Association in Paco, Manila on Saturday.The Filipinos are ranked 49th in the global Davis Cup rankings, while Thailand sits at 43rd.Martin Misa, the Philippine Davis Cup administrator, acknowledged that the Thais — made up of twins Sanchai and Sonchat Ratiwatana, Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul, Jirat Navasirisomboon, and Palaphoom Kovapitukted — will pose a serious challenge to the hosts.But he assured that the locals, composed of former PCA champions AJ Lim and Johnny Arcilla, back-to-form Francis Casey Alcantara, Jeson Patrombon and John Bryan Otico will put up a big fight.“On paper, the Thais are stronger and more experienced but they can’t take our team for granted this time,” said Misa. &quot;Our team has been preparing for almost 2 weeks.&quot;<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/video/sports/03/23/18/watch-young-pinoy-trio-prepare-for-junior-davis-cup">WATCH: Young Pinoy trio prepare for Junior Davis Cup</a></li></ul>The Thai contingent is set to arrive in Manila on Wednesday.The Philippines, which were badly beaten by Thailand last year where it fielded a short-handed team, hopes to duplicate the same feat the Philippine Davis Cuppers did against the superior Japanese squad back in 1988.Tennis head Antonio Cablitas said he witnessed how Raymund Suarez and company defied the odds to upset Japan during their Davis Cup tie 30 years ago.“That’s perhaps the biggest win by a Philippine team in the Davis Cup, I hope we can do that against Thailand,” Cablitas said.Misa said the team hopes local fans make their presence felt over the weekend.“We produced a number of big comeback wins in this venue in the past because of the crowd support, so we hope tennis enthusiasts will come to support our team again,” Misa said.(For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.)

The Philippines take on Thailand in a Davis Cup, Asia-Oceania Zone Group II tie at Philippine Columbian Association in Paco, Manila on Saturday.

The Philippines take on Thailand in a Davis Cup, Asia-Oceania Zone Group II tie at Philippine Columbian Association in Paco, Manila on Saturday.