By Ronnie Nathanielsz

THE scheduled second-round Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group II tie between the Philippines and Pakistan has been transferred from Lahore to Manila because of the uncertain peace and order situation in Pakistan.

The matches are scheduled to be played in Manila from July 8 to 10.

Paul Smith, the executive director of the Davis Cup Committee, responded positively to a letter from Philippine Tennis Association president Lito Villanueva, who submitted a request that the tie be moved out of Pakistan following a board meeting immediately after the Philippines beat Hong Kong in their first-round tie, 4-1.

In his letter, Smith wrote: ?In light of the recent increased terrorist activities in Pakistan and the recent incident involving the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, the ITF has completed a full examination of the current situation and has taken advice from various sources including our external security consultancy.

?After considering all relevant factors, I am writing to inform you that the Davis Cup Committee has decided that as per Davis Cup Regulation 27 [e], Pakistan will lose choice of ground. The Davis Cup Committee further decided that the tie will be held in the Philippines from July 8 to 10.?

The Davis Cup Committee executive director added: ?I hope that you understand the reason for this decision and please rest assured that the ITF does not take the decision lightly. However, we have an overbearing responsibility to ensure the safety of all those involved in the tie.?

At the same time, Smith exonerated the Pakistan Tennis Federation from any responsibility for the present situation. ?Please note that as no responsibility whatsoever for this situation lies with the Pakistan Tennis Federation, next time you meet Pakistan in a Davis Cup tie on a home-and-away basis, choice of ground will remain with Pakistan.?

Standard Today, www.insidesports.ph, and Viva Sports learned that an ITF junior tournament scheduled to be played in Pakistan had also been called off together with a series of cricket and hockey matches and other major sports events.

Earlier, the first-round tie between Pakistan and Oman was shifted from Lahore to Muscat, Oman, by the Davis Cup Committee, although it made no difference as Pakistan, bannered by star player Aisan Quereshi, who is ranked no. 298 in the world in singles and 99 in doubles, won the tie handily, 4-1.

The Philippines also beat a strong Hong Kong squad, anchored by Martin Sayer, who first won a Grade V juniors tournament at the old Rizal Racquet Club in 2004, behind the heroics of no. 1 Cecil Mamiit, who won both his singles matches and partnered newcomer Treat Huey, a Fil-Am to win the crucial doubles.