Tall order for Philippines batters
MANILA, Philippines — No less than World No. 1 Japan will be the Philippines’ first opponent in its comeback to men’s baseball at the Asian Games after a 17-year sit-out but Philippine Amateur Baseball Association (PABA) secretary-general Pepe Muñoz said yesterday it will be a battle regardless of the odds. The Filipino barters, who won the East Asia Cup title last May, will be swinging for the fences against Japan at the Shaoxing Baseball and Softball Sports Culture Center today.
The Philippines, Japan, China and Laos are in Group A while South Korea, Chinese-Taipei, Hong Kong and Thailand are in Group B. The Philippines faces China tomorrow and Laos on Tuesday. The top two finishers advance to the Super Round and the bottom two are relegated to the Placement Round. The top two teams in the Super Round will slug it out for the gold medal on Oct. 7.
Japan is led by 2013 World Series champion Boston Red Sox pitcher Junichi Tazawa, a nine-year Major Leaguer now 37. Tazawa’s experience will be a key factor in Japan’s bid to win a second Asian Games crown since 1994. The Philippines is ranked World No. 36 and this will be its fourth Asiad appearance after posting a 1-3 record in 1998 and going winless in 2002 and 2006.
The Philippine team is made up of 26 players, including pitchers Junmar Diarao of NU, Kennedy Torres of UP, Vladimir Eguia of UP, Romeo Jasmin of Adamson, Raymond Nerosa of Adamson and Joshua Pineda of La Salle. Catchers are Renato Samuel of La Salle, Mark Manaig of Adamson and Alfredo de Guzman of NU. Infielders are Jennald Pareja of Adamson, Ben Sarmiento of Clarke University, Kyle Soberano of Illinois State, Iggy Escano of La Salle, Clarence Caasalan of NU, Adrianne Bernardo of Ateneo, Mark Baronilla of UST, Jon-Jon Robles of UST and Harper Sy of the University of Rochester. Outfielders are Carlos Muñoz of La Salle, Lord de Vera of La Salle, Erwin Bosito of Adamson, Paulo Macasaet of Ateneo, Ferdinand Liguayan of Rizal Tech and Jonhil Carreon of the Japanese league. Coaches are Isaac Bacarisas and Orlando Binarao. De Vera, 21, is the youngest in the squad and Robles, 37, is the oldest.
The team features several players with overseas credentials.
