JONAS TERRADO
The Philippines ended its first international tournament on a high note Friday afternoon by thrashing China, 11-1, to secure a third place finish in the Women’s Baseball Asian Cup at the Panda Stadium in Zhongshan.
Unlike their 6-2 win during the start of the Super Round, the Pinay batters needed just five innings to repeat over their Chinese counterparts to claim a podium finish in the six-day competition.
Coach Egay delos Reyes and his team composed of players from the softball ranks made it this far despite its infancy stage after the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association formed the team last year.
They reached the Super Round after posting comeback wins over Hong Kong (12-3) and South Korea (14-7) before dropping its final Group A assignment against Taiwan (15-0).
After defeating China, the Philippines was relegated to the consolation game with a 17-2 thrashing by defending champion Japan.
Whell Camral emerged as the tournament’s best third baseman while Clariz Palma was named Best Pitcher during the closing ceremonies.
Philippine Amateur Baseball Association President Chito Loyzaga said the federation is clarifying if the team has already gained a berth in next year’s Women’s Baseball World Cup for making the Super Round.
