THE Philippine national men’s tennis team needs more exposure from foreign competitions.
Non-playing captain Chris Cuarto said this after Team Philippines absorbe a 1-4 loss to Thailand last Sunday at the Philippine Columbian Association indoor shell courts.
“What these boys need is more exposure. There are three to four young players in the team. We lack the finishing. We can stay (in the game), pero iyun ang kulang,” said Cuarto after their Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Group 2 semifinal tie with the Thais.
With the win, Thailand moved to Group 2 and will next face Lebanon in the finals.
Last Sunday, Lebanon earned the right to face Thailand after turning back Hong Kong, 3-1.
The Philippines, which has lost to the Thais twice in a row since last year, is now tied with Thailand in their head-to-record at 4-all.
With the setback, the Philippines will remain in Group 2.
It was the 5’9” Wishaya Trongcharooencharakul, who clinched the crucial third point in the second reverse singles when he finished strong and stopped Jeson Patrombon, 6-4, 1-6, 7-5.
In the final match of the day, Palaphoom Kovapitukted formalized Thailand’s win with a 6-4, 6-3 stopping of Bryan Otico.
Last Saturday, Patrombon gave the Philippines its first point when he defeated Jirat Navasirisomboon, 6-2, 6-2, in the first singles.
The long-haired Trongcharooencharakul equalized with a 6-3, 6-4 triumph over J Otico in the second singles.
Early Sunday, the Ratiwatana twins, Sonchat and Sanchai, secured the doubles with a 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 beating of Johnny Arcilla and Francis Casey Alcantara, and put the Thais in a 2-1 lead.
