After all, this is the same team that wihitewashed the Philippines, 5-0, during their tie in Osaka last year. But with some factors now going for the Filipinos, tennis officials say the locals have the slight advantage.

“It’s 60-40 in favor of our players but we gonna have to play consistently because we are expecting a close match,” said Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva.

“Tingin namin hindi naman nag-improve ang mga Hapon, pero malakas pa rin sila.”

The Japanese squad has yet to name its players although the PH team expects that Tatsuma Ito, Go Soeda, Takao Suzuki and Toshihide Matsui will make up the team.

They are the same players who powered the Japanese to a 5-0 romp last year in Osaka.

Ito is coming from tournaments from Singapore, Brunei and Australia; Soeda was also in Singapore and South Africa; and Matsui joined the Futures events in China and Cambodia.

The Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) decided to bring the tie in a clay court surface, knowing that the Japanese team likes to play in a fast surface. The hot conditions during the match, which will fall in summer, might also pose a threat to the Japanese.

Filipino Davis Cuppers based in the US -- Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey – are arriving on Feb. 18 to join fellow candidates Johnny Arcilla and Elbert Anasta to start training. Top junior netter Jeson Patrombon and former Davis Cupper Patrick John Tierro have also been invited to join the training.

“Cecil wanted to start training early to also get used to the court conditions. Usually he and Treat arrive a week before the tie, pero ngayon, talagang pinaghahandaan talaga nila,” Villanueva said.

The winner of the tie will earn a second-round meeting with the winner between New Zealand and Uzbekistan slated on July 8 to 10.

Kristel Satumbaga, Manila Bulletin