The Japanese arrived a day earlier than expected yesterday, showing great determination to rule the 30th edition of the event serving as the regional elimination for the Pony World Series in Pennsylvania, USA.
"The Japanese are really serious in winning the tournament so they came early to get the feel of the venue and acclimatize with the weather," said Pony Baseball Southeast Asian representative and RP Tot baseball president Rodolfo "Boy" Tingzon.
Tingzon’s father, Rodolfo Sr. or Totoy, was responsible for establishing organized youth baseball leagues in the country in the early 60s for which he earned the title "Father of Youth Baseball."
The Okinawa team is representing Japan after winning the All-Japan championship where it beat tough rivals from Hokkaido and Kanto areas.
The Japanese are expected to give the Koreans and the Taiwanese a run for their money in this event backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and Pagcor.
However, the Taiwanese, who won the championship back home in Chinese Taipei, are still the top favorites for the title. — Joey Villar