MANILA, Philippines — The underdog Philippine team gets the chance to size up the powerhouse Japanese squad as it is scheduled to work out a sweat Sunday in Cebu City in preparation for their
Asia-Oceania Zone Group I tie this weekend at the claycourt of Plantation Bay Resorts in Lapu Lapu City on Mactan Island.

The Japanese were scheduled to arrive in Cebu late Saturday night after a layover in Seoul.

Comprising the Japanese are Go Saeda, Tatsuma Ito, Yuichi Sugita, Takao Suzuki and non-playing team captain Eiji Takeuchi and they are heavily favored to maintain their lofty standing, having won 17 of 26 meetings with the Filipinos.

The last time they met, Japan overwhelmed the Philippines, 5-0, in Osaka.

What makes it extra difficult for the Philippines to score an upset is the continued improvement of the Japanese as evidenced by the presence of their three players in the world’s top 200 even if they were beaten by Australia last year.

Cecil Mamiit, Treat Huey, Elbert Anasta and Johnny Arcilla will carry the flag for the Philippines in the tie that will send the winner to a second round clash with the victor of the New Zealand-Uzbekistan duel in July.