The Philippine Davis Cup team has won all its four matches against Taiwan in the past but Fil-American Cecil Mamiit expects a strong challenge this time when they clash in the Asia Oceania Zone Group I playoffs starting on Friday at the Yang-Ming Tennis Center in Kaoshiung, Taiwan.

“We expect that it’s going to be an even competition. We’re not going to take this lightly. They still have talented players with good rankings,” said Mamiit, also the team’s captain, prior to their departure last Sunday.

Since both teams are out to remain in the elite Group I, Mamiit said anything can happen in the three-day affair.

Taiwan will be fielding Tsung-Ha Yang, Ti Chen, Chu-Huan Yi and Hsin-Han Lee in the tie.

Good thing for the RP side is that one of their best players – Yen-Hsun Lu – may not see action for the Taiwan squad.

Lu made waves recently when he stunned American top player Andy Roddick in the fourth round of the Wimbledon championships.

Also doubtful to compete is Jimmy Wang, who last represented the squad in February last year against Kazakhstan.

“We still don’t know if they will be included the last minute, but we’re ready,” Mamiit said.

Mamiit and fellow Fil-Am Treat Huey will most likely compete in the first singles matches on Friday, while new Fil-Am recruit, Ruben Gonzales, and Johnny Arcilla might be tapped to play in the doubles slated Saturday.

“But we’ll still see how it will go in the first day. I’m not scared of putting Ruben and Johnny in the doubles,” Mamiit said. “Ruben is a good doubles player, and Johnny is already a veteran here in the Davis Cup.”

The RP team needs to win this best-of-five tie against Taiwan to keep their Group I seat. A loss will earn them another playoff match against the losing squad between Uzbekistan and South Korea on September 17 to 19.

The last time the Filipinos beat the Taiwanese was in 1999 when it was held at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. The Filipinos won, 3-2.