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FIL-AMERICAN Cecil Mamiit remains noncommittal as far as playing for
the country in the Asia-Oceania Zone Group 1 Davis Cup relegation
playoff against Kazakhstan in September.
“I really want to have Eric Taino on the team.
For now, I am holding off my decision to play,” said Mamiit.
The Los Angeles-based netter is still hopeful
that Taino will return to help the country stay in Group 1 next
year.
“Chances are close when it comes to Davis Cup
in Group 1 and we need a strong team,” added the 31-year-old
Mamiit, who is ranked 409th in the world.
Taino earlier announced his decision to leave
the team and concentrate on his coaching job in Los Angeles,
California.
The RP Davis Cuppers are up against rated
players from Kazakhstan including world’s No. 153 Yuri Schukin and
No. 448 Alexey Kedriouk.
Kazakhstan holds a 2-1 record against the
Philippines having won in the first round of the Group 2 tie in 2002
(4-1) and in the round robin stage of Group 3 in 2001 (2-0).
The Nationals bounced back in the first round of
the Group 2 tie in 2003 via 3-2 decision.
Long-time partner Mamiit and Taino were
instrumental in the country’s success in tennis in the past years
having won medals in Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games.
-- Emil Noguera
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