Pinoy netters keep hopes high

The Philippines’ Davis Cup team hopes to carry the momentum of its Group III promotion in the Asia-Oceania zone when it returns to the court by 2026.

Team member Jed Olivarez expressed optimism that the Filipinos will continue to climb in the promotional ranking of the premier international team event in men’s tennis after being relegated in the lowest tier in Group V almost a year ago.

Olivarez and the rest of the Davis Cup team returned from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from their Group IV tier where they completed a sweep of all their four matches, including a 2-0 win over Kyrgyzstan in their playoff tie.

In Group III, the Philippines is expected to face the likes of Saudi Arabia, Vietnam and Singapore, according to the 27-year-old netter, who graced the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Winning the tie meant a promotion in Group II for the Filipinos, where they have been competing before prior to being suspended by the International Tennis Federation.

“I think we’re still expected to win that (Group III),” said Olivarez, noting the absence of Southeast Asian power Thailand and Indonesia, which are both competing in Group II.

“I believe we can still win that.”

Olivarez was with Philippine Tennis Association executive director Tonette Mendoza in the same forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 sports app Arena Plus.

So far, the son of current Paranaque Mayor Eric Olivarez has been a perfect 7-0 in Davis Cup competitions dating back from the team’s promotional campaign in Group V late last year.

“It’s always an honor to represent the country,” said the Accountancy graduate from Western Michigan University, adding the team was inspired with the exploits of world-ranked Filipina netter Alex Eala.

“She (Eala) is bringing a huge honor to the country. We hope that she will be an inspiration to us and other aspiring Filipino athletes.”

Aside from Olivarez, also comprising the Filipino Davis Cup team are AJ Lim, Arthur Craig Pantino, and the doubles specialists of veterans Ruben Gonzales and Francis Casey Alcantara. Coaching them are two former No. 1 Philippine tennis players in the now United States-based Joseph Lizardo and Johnny Arcilla.

According to Mendoza, the same men’s team will represent the country in this year’s Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok by December.

“Yes, we have the same team in the men’s, but for the women’s we’re still trying to put them together,” said Mendoza, adding preparations for the biennial meet will start by November.