Taiwan bags Pan Pacific crown

SUBIC — Chinese Taipei, one of the great baseball powers this side of Asia, crushed the Philippines, 7-0, in a one-sided finals showdown and won the first Pan-Pacific Junior baseball championships yesterday at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) grounds here.

Chen Who Jann completed a no-hitter that capped the Taiwanese’ four-game sweep, including a 9-4 win over the Philippines earlier, in this five-day, four-nation meet organized by Philippine Tot Baseball Foundation, Inc. president Rodolfo "Boy" Tingzon, Jr.

Tournament officials earlier awarded both Chinese Taipei, which topped the elimination round in three games, and the Philippines outright finals slots after heavy rains late Tuesday rendered the baseball field unplayable.

The Filipinos were leading the Japanese, 4-0, after two innings of their semifinal duel before monsoon rains halted play in this event sponsored by SBMA, Matsushita Electric, Jollibee, Subic International Hotel, Hang Ten, Nestle Ice Cream, Victory Liner and Pacific Commerce and Travel Services.

Winning hurler Chen gave up three walks but fanned out four hitters while Ho Kai Shiang and Lai Chung Pai went perfect at bat to shut the lights out of the Filipinos.

It was Chen’s second no-hitter in the tournament following a 5-0 opening day triumph by Chinese Taipei over Japan, represented by All-Japan league champion Chiba.

After an inspiring 3-2 triumph over the Japanese in the elimination, the Filipinos found a tough opposition in the Taiwanese who blasted local pitcher Sandy Cirillo with 10 hits. Ho, a rightfielder, went three-for-three and leftfielder Lai two-for-two in an awesome show reminiscent of the Taiwanese domination of the Little League World Series for over a decade.

"We came here to have fun and give the boys exposure although we are confident we can win the title," said Chinese Taipei coach Chen Shih Lung through an interpreter.

RP’s miseries started when Ho slammed Encarnado’s pitch to right field, stole second base, reached third and scooted home on a throwing error for Chinese Taipei’s first run.