Philippine Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva made the assurance Monday despite the Filipino netters’ dismal if not embarrasing record against the Japanese against whom they have not won a single match in three Davis Cup encounters.

But Villanueva said it could be different this time as the Cuppers will play before a home crowd and enjoy the benefit of selecting their preferred surface which is clay.

He said he expects their Asia Oceania Zone Group I tie starting on Friday at the Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu to be a close one.

"It's going to be close," Villanueva said. "We're not predicting anything, especially our chances, but we think that both teams will have a hard time (winning) like their previous encounters."

Although the Filipinos failed to win a single match over their last three meetings, Villanueva is encouraged by the fact that four of the 15 encounters went into a deciding match.

Both teams have intensified their preparations, with the Filipino netters composed of Cecil Mamiit, Treat Huey, Elbert Anasta and Johnny Arcilla practicing twice a day.

Monday morning, the Filipinos trained at an indoor clay court in Cebu City while the Japanese used the competition venue at Plantation Bay, which is an open air court.

It is windy in Lapu-Lapu City but Villanueva said this will have little effect on the two squads.

Villanueva also added the world rankings – where the Japanese have the advantage of having three of its four netters in the top 200 – will not matter in this competition.

"It's a different tournament. And besides, kilala naman ng mga players natin ang maglalaro dito," Villanueva said, referring to the Japanese squad of Go Soeda, Tatsuma Ito, Yuichi Sugita and Takao Suzuki.

Kristel Satumbaga, Manila Bulletin