One step remains in the Philippines’ bid for a long-awaited promotion in the Billie Jean King Cup.
The Philippine Women’s National Tennis Team stumbled on Thursday but bounced back on Friday, keeping itself in strong contention for a place in Group I of the Asia/Oceania Zone.
After opening its campaign at the National Tennis Centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with back-to-back 2-1 victories over world No. 52 Hong Kong and No. 69 Singapore, the 68th-ranked Philippine squad hit a setback against No. 64 Pacific Oceania, absorbing a 1-2 defeat.
Rising teen standout Tennielle Madis — who had earlier won both her singles matches against Hong Kong and Singapore — struggled in the tie and was overwhelmed by former junior standout Violet Apisah, 6-0, 6-0.
Former Ateneo standout Shaira Rivera, stepping in for University of West Alabama teammate Alexa Milliam in the second singles match, started strong. She took the first set and built a 3-1 lead in the second, but faded down the stretch. Carolann Delaunay fought back to complete a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 win and secure Pacific Oceania’s second victory in the competition.
Milliam and Steffi Aludo salvaged a point for the Philippines in doubles, dominating Apisah and Delaunay, 6-0, 6-0.
The result set up a must-win clash for the team coached by Denise Dy and Bobie Angelo against winless Kyrgyzstan on Friday.
The 18-year-old Madis quickly regained her form, brushing aside 14-year-old Eva Gavshina, 6-0, 1-0 (ret.), to put the Philippines in control early.
Milliam, who remained unbeaten in doubles, finally secured her first singles win of the campaign by defeating Safina Khabibrakhmanova, 6-2, 6-3, clinching the Philippines’ third victory.
Milliam and Aludo then completed the sweep with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Saara Myzaeva and Sezim Sagynbaeva in the doubles rubber.
Despite finishing with identical 3-1 records, the Philippines topped Bracket A over Hong Kong by virtue of its head-to-head win earlier in the week.
Hong Kong will face Chinese Taipei, the No. 1 team from Bracket B, on Saturday. On the other hand, the Philippines will take on Bracket B second placer Uzbekistan, ranked No. 66.
The winners of the Hong Kong–Chinese Taipei and Philippines–Uzbekistan ties will secure promotion to Asia/Oceania Group I in 2027.
