Michael Francis Eala II in action during the Philippine vs Japan match in the Junior Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying Round at the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) hard court in Kuching, Malaysia on April 11, 2018. (Photo courtesy of Michael Francis Eala)
MANILA -- The Philippines failed to advance to the semifinal round after losing to Uzbekistan, 2-0, on Thursday in the Under-16 Junior Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying tournament in Kuching, Malaysia.
Jose Antonio Tria bowed to Azizbek Dadabaev, 3-6 7-6(3) 2-6 after two hours and 20 minutes of battle in the first singles, while Michael Francis II was beaten by Olimjon Nabiev, 3-6, 1-6, in their quarterfinal match at the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association.
The doubles match between Tria-Eala and Nabiev-Ibrokhimjon Urinov was not played.
Uzbekistan will be up against Hong Kong, which eliminated South Korea, 2-1, in the first semifinal match.
The second semifinal match will feature Japan against Australia. Japan defeated India, 2-1, while Australia scored a 2-1 win over China in the quarterfinal round.
Japan, Australia, Hong Kong and Uzbekistan have earned slots in the World Finals later this year.
Meanwhile, the Philippines will face South Korea, while India will take on China in the play-off for fifth to eighth places.
In the round-robin elimination round, Japan swept its Group A assignments (Pacific Oceania, 3-0; Singapore, 3-0; and the Philippines, 2-0); Philippines won over Singapore, 2-1, and Pacific Oceania, 2-1, while Pacific Oceania beat Singapore (2-1).
In Group B, Uzbekistan defeated Chinese Taipei (2-1), China (2-1) and Indonesia (3-0); China downed Indonesia (2-1) and Chinese Taipei (2-0) while Chinese Taipei prevailed over Indonesia (2-1).
In Group C, South Korea downed Thailand (3-0), Pakistan (2-1) and India (2-1); India won over Pakistan (3-0) and Thailand (2-1) while Thailand defeated Pakistan (2-1).
In Group D, Australia outclassed New Zealand (3-0), Kazakhstan (3-0) and Hong Kong (3-0); Hong Kong clobbered New Zealand (3-0) and Kazakhstan (3-0) while New Zealand scored a 2-0 victory over Kazakhstan (2-0).
In the play-off for ninth to 16th places, Indonesia defeated Pacific Oceania (2-1), New Zealand beat Pakistan (2-1), Thailand demolished Singapore (3-0) and Chinese Taipei outplayed Kazakhstan (2-1) to reach the semifinal.
Indonesia will meet New Zealand and Thailand will take on Chinese Taipei, with the winners facing each other in the battle for ninth place.
The winners of the Pacific Oceania vs. Pakistan and Singapore vs. Kazakhstan matches will dispute 13th place. (PNA)
