By MARK REY MONTEJO
CLARK, Pampanga – The Philippine men’s baseball team got off to a rousing start as it annihilated Indonesia, 13-1, to open its title defense in the 14th BFA East Asia Baseball Cup Tuesday Oct. 29, at the Villages field inside Clark International Sports Complex here.
Veteran pitcher Romeo Jasmin yielded only four hits in a dominant five-inning job while teammates made their title aspirations known by drilling six runs right in the first frame which was enough to disarm the Indons.
“I give credit to Indonesia, they played well, they played hard. But our philosophy is we’re gonna score runs, we like to swing the bat,” said the 61-year-old head coach Vince Sagisi.
“We like to hit, and we have guys that can hit,” he added.
The Nationals go for their second win against dangerous Singapore this Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the same venue.
The Philippines is eyeing for its fifth consecutive crown in the tournament that is presented by Smart, PLDT and PSC also sponsored by San Miguel Foods, Clark Development Corp. etc.
MJ Beronilla, Kyle Soberano and Clarence Caasalan presided over the team’s opening frame salvo.
The Philippines’ convincing win capped the day’s triple-bill – all ended in blowouts as Thailand obliterated Cambodia, 14-4, while Hong Kong whipped Malaysia, 16-1.
