The Philippine Davis Cup team will use the Laos SEA Games this December as its initial preparation for the Asia Oceania Zone Group I competitions next year.

RP team coach Chris Cuarto, who is also the Davis Cup non-playing team captain, on Monday said their SEAG stint in Vientiane will be a crucial one in determining their success in Group I competitions since it will determine their readiness and competitiveness.

The team’s chemistry will also be put to a big test.

“Our immediate plan right now is to focus on the SEAG. We wanted to improve our previous medal finish before worrying about our chances in Group I,” Cuarto said.

The biennial meet will be a good training ground for the Filipino Davis Cuppers since Thailand competed in Group I this year, and Indonesia and Malaysia also played in the other bracket of Group II.

“It’s going to be a tough SEAG for us, that’s why our players will get as many tournaments as they can prior to the SEAG,” Cuarto said.

Fil-Americans Cecil Mamiit and Treat Huey, who helped the RP Davis Cup team to a 4-1 win over New Zealand over the weekend to regain them their former Group I seat, left for the United States Monday night to catch up with three scheduled Challengers in California.

Veteran Johnny Arcilla, who competed and gained points in an Indian Futures, is also mulling to see action in two Futures tournaments in Bangkok, Thailand while the Philippine Tennis Association is still looking for other tournaments for Patrick John Tierro.

The RP team hopes to improve its one-gold, two-silver and four-bronze finish in the 2007 Thailand SEAG.

Mamiit and Huey also expressed their enthusiasm of playing for the SEAG. The coming SEA Games will be the first for Huey.