THE Philippine Davis Cup team’s ability to adjust to the climate will come in as a factor when it plays Kuwait in the Group II Asia-Oceania Finals on September 21 and 23 at the Bassam Al-Motawa Tennis Center in Meshref, Kuwait.

RP team coach Chris Cuarto made this assessment in yesterday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at the Shakey’s United Nations.

Cecil Mamiit will banner the squad alongside Eric Taino, Patrick John Tierro and Johnny Arcilla and non-playing captain Martin Misa. The team hopes to bring the country back to the Group I stage where it last played in 1997.

Cuarto said the temperature in Kuwait could reach 40o Celsius which will be a crucial factor because the games will be played outdoors.

“That is why we are practising during late mornings which could approximate the heat that we expect to experience in Kuwait,” said Cuarto. He is also certain Mamiit and Taino could also adjust to the climate despite the fact that they are training in Los Angeles.

“They’re a little nervous playing away from home. But in due time, their games will pick up,” he added.

Kuwait’s No. 1 Muhammad Ghareeb will try to dash the Filipinos’ hopes of returning to Group I. The Kuwaiti team includes Ahmad Muhammad, Muhammad Haliq Siddiq, Ali Ghareeb and Khaled Alfoundar.

Incidentally, Ghareeb defeated Mamiit in the singles of the first round of the team competitions of the 15th Asian Games in Doha. The Philippines, however, went on to win, 2-1.

“He’s [Muhammad Ghareeb] the only one who’s going to be tough as I see it but I think we can take him,” said Cuarto.

The Philippines reached the finals after beating Pakistan (4-1) and New Zealand (4-1). Pakistan set a date with the Philippines after defeating Iran (4-1) and Indonesia (4-1).

Mamiit and Taino will most likely play the singles and reverse singles. “They have the experience,” said Cuarto.

Tierro said he is ready to do battle anytime.

“I’m very ready. It is a team event. I cannot be not ready. I will be waiting for our time,” said the 21-year-old Tierro.

Arcilla also expressed his readiness and will also bring experience to the team, having played the Davis Cup since 1999.

The Philippines defeated Kuwait, 3-2, in 2002 at the Philippine Columbian Association covered courts in Paco, Manila, in a Group II Relegation Playoff.

The team will leave for Kuwait on Monday.

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