THERE’S no “I” on the team and sure enough, newly installed Philippine nonplaying team captain Manny Tecson is instilling that concept further in the Philippines’ Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I relegation tie against Uzbekistan.

“In any team, there should always be a ‘we’ instead of ‘I.’ So far, the team has responded very well with the team concept,” said Tecson, when asked about the philosophy he is bringing into the team.

The 45-year-old Tecson, who replaced Martin Misa as the nonplaying team captain, is no stranger to world-class tennis. He was the nonplaying captain when the Philippines, led by Felix Barrientos, Roland So and Sofronio Palahang, was in the World Group in 1991, losing, 5-0, to a tough Sweden squad at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Now, he is tasked to at least keep the Philippines in Group I against the Uzbeks.

“This is the best team we have in years, and it is just a privilege to coach this team,” said Tecson.

Cecil Mamiit, Eric Taino, Patrick John Tierro and Johnny Arcilla have been training for the Uzbekistan tie for two weeks now and Tecson commends them for preparing early.

“They heeded the call to come early to adjust to the weather and the playing surface. I’ve been pushing them for this tie. They are very much motivated to win,” added the 45-year-old Tecson.

Tecson said Tierro and Arcilla, who are used to the PCA shell clay court, are giving some inputs to Mamiit and Taino on how to play the surface.

“They have been brothers helping each other out,” said Tecson.

“Everybody says that when they see the Uzbeks, they say that they are tall. They are strong but I think come April 11, the weather will be a factor for this match. So we really concentrated on our conditioning,” said Tecson.

The Filipinos will be facing an Uzbek squad led by Denis Istomin and Farrukh Dustov, who are currently ranked No. 156 and 259 in the world, respectively. Istomin has earlier hinted that they see no problem playing the PCA surface because they have been training on clay courts back home.

“I know they can play on clay. The factors are really just a bonus. If we win, it is not because of the surface but more of their hardwork,” said Tecson.

Mamiit and Taino said they are not at all bothered by the lofty rankings of Istomin and Dustov.

“It is just rankings. We have the homecrowd advantage. This is our opportunity to shine,” said Mamiit.

“We have a lot of respect to Uzbekistan. They are very prepared and I expect it to be a tough match,” said Taino.

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THE Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) turns a new leaf Wednesday, and in celebration of its 33rd anniversary, the league is raffling off 33 special prizes during Wednesday’s scheduled double-header at the Araneta Coliseum.

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THERE’S no “I” on the team and sure enough, newly installed Philippine nonplaying team captain Manny Tecson is instilling that concept further in the Philippines’ Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I relegation tie against Uzbekistan.

LINGAYEN—Pangasinan Gov. Amado Espino Jr. and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Avelino Razon Jr. will make the ceremonial shots to open the Philippine Military Academy Masigasig Class ’72 Governor’s Cup Shootfest from May 2 to 4 at the PNP Firing Range here.

DON ENRICO, touted as one of the heavy favorites in the coming Triple Crown Championship Series, added another major victory in his career when he topped the Diamond Stakes I on Sunday at the San Lazaro Leisure Park.