By MARK REY MONTEJO
Having a former Major League Baseball (MLB) scout as its new coach, the Philippine baseball team is likely to extend its reign in the XIV BFA East Asia Baseball Cup (formerly Asian Baseball Cup) which opens shop on Oct. 29 to Nov. 4 in Clark, Pampanga.
The Nationals have won the event four in a row, and with veteran scout Vince Sagisi at the helm now, they are once again the overwhelming favorites to dominate the event.
“I’m confident we’re the dominant team here… this is something we treasure, and we’re supposed to be the powerhouse here,” said Philippine Amateur Baseball Association President Chito Loyzaga in Tuesday’s PSA Forum that was presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 app ArenaPlus.
“With our involvement now with BFA, they wanted us to host. It’s been 30 years since we last hosted this… they were happy and awarded the hosting to us last May. Hopefully, we can perform well and we can keep up with the trademark of being the dominant players,” he added.
Sagisi, who was in the baseball industry for 30 years, holds an impressive resume which includes stints with the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians), St. Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers. He emphasized that he’ll bring a different approach and development of baseball here in the country.
“My goal is to promote and elevate the quality of baseball here in the Philippines and we’re doing that. We’re going to be the next great baseball Asian country,” said Sagisi. “I didn’t come from the US to the Philippines to just finish 2nd place and we’ll be prepared like no other team.”
Clarence Caasaan (third base/ pitcher) and Agon De Vera (shortstop) will spearhead the Nationals in the week-long joust, noting they are going to give their best to deliver stellar showing in front of Filipino fans.
“‘Yong mga preparation po namin is focus lang po sa goal namin [and] naging open minded lang po kami and sinusunod namin lahat ng pinapagawa nya,” said Caasaan.
“Gawin lang best namin, and sana suportahan nyo kami,” De Vera added.
After almost three decades or since 1995, the biennial baseball meet returns to the country with seven countries – including Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
The top two finishers will earn tickets to the Asian Baseball Championship.
From there the country will face top-notch squads in world No. 1 Japan, Chinese Taipei, South Korea and China.
The rosters are yet to be disclosed and expected to be announced next week.
