Taiwanese clouters hold sway

SUBIC – Chinese-Taipei completed an unfinished job against Japan and rolled to a 5-0 victory early yesterday then blasted host Philippines, 9-4, later to seize the solo lead in the first Pan-Pacific Junior baseball championship at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) baseball grounds here.

Eager to finish off the Japanese after monsoon rains halted their match Sunday, the Taiwanese coasted to the six-inning victory at resumption with Bien Jan baffling Japan’s batters by twirling a no-hitter.

But the Japanese, with All-Japan League top hurler Sohei Ogawa debuting for the team, returned to the mound and blasted Singapore, 7-1, as they bounced back in contention in this event organized by the Philippine Pony Baseball/Softball Association, led by its president Rodolfo "Boy" Tingzon, Jr..

Earlier in the day, the Filipinos also thumped the Singaporeans, 6-1, with pitcher Sandy Cirillo and leftfielder Rico Viduya powering the Province of Laguna-backed squad to the victory in the tourney sponsored by SBMA, Jollibee, Hang Ten, Nestle Ice Cream, Subic International Hotel, Victory Liner and Pacific Commerce and Travel Services.

Cirillo completed a three-hitter in five innings while Viduya’s two-run RBIs (runs-batted-in) capped a three-run romp at the top of the fifth.

With the weather expected to improve, so does Chinese-Taipei’s bid as it goes up against winless Singapore even as the Filipino batters resume their campaign against the tough Japanese in what could be a preview of semifinal matches.

Meanwhile, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association (PABA) chief Hector Navasero withdrew the other RP team, Los Baños-Philab, late Sunday.