“Our main goal this year is to keep our place in Group I and win a medal in the Southeast Asian Games,” said RP coach Chris Cuarto just after his wards dropped a 1-3 loss to Japan in their Asia-Oceania Zone Group I tie at the Plantation Bay Resorts and Spa here over the weekend.

Boosting the country’s bid is the prospect of Fil-German Marc Sieber joining the team.

“We’re just completing his papers but we hope he could join us in our next Davis Cup tie as well as the SEA Games because we know he’s going to be a vital part in our campaign,” said Phl Davis Cup administrator Randy Villanueva referring to Sieber, who topped last year’s PCA Open.

The Filipinos will take their much-needed rest before resuming training in a month in preparation for their next tie against the New Zealand side, which lost to the taller, power-hitting Uzbekistan in their own side of the tie last week.

The Kiwis will host the Phl netters in New Zealand in July.

Cecil Mamiit and company will also be priming up for the SEA Games slated Nov. 8-25 in Palembang, Indonesia.

The 22-year-old Sieber from Straubing, Germany is expected to provide depth to the team and ease the load from Mamiit and fellow Fil-Am Treat Conrad Huey.

The 34-year-old Mamiit lost steam as he tried to rally the Phl against Japan, playing a total of 12 minutes and 12 hours in three straight days of top-notch tennis.

“Although we didn’t win, we showed them we deserve to be in Group I and we would train and fight hard to keep our place here,” said Mamiit.

The Phl is also eyeing the country’s top junior netter Jeson Patrombon, who is currently in the eltie Top 10 in the world after a strong quarterfinal effort in the Australian Juniors Open early in the year.

Huey, who was accompanied by his Filipina mother Manina San Pedro, for his part, will resume his campaign abroad with hopes of further climbing up the world doubles ladder where he is currently ranked 101st.

Joey Villar, Philippine Star