Bagalay keys Villegas romp in baseball

Villegas High School leaned on a superb effort by Erwin Bagalay as it pounded Jose P. Laurel High School, 16-2, yesterday to clinch its fourth baseball title in the fourth Manila Youth Games at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Field.

Bagalay was spectacular both on the plate and the mound as the Villegas batters completed a four-game sweep in the sport it ruled in the first three editions of this meet organized by Manila Sports Council chair Ali Atienza.

The 15-year-old senior silenced Laurel batters and belted six runs highlighted by a two-run homer to the left field in the second inning. He also hit a two-run double in the opening frame and a two-run single in the third to complete a sterling performance.

"Matagal na kami nagsasanay para sa event na ito kaya masaya kami nagbunga ulit ang paghihirap namin," said Villegas coach Manny Llave.

Meanwhile, action in medal-rich athletics and swimming starts today at the Rizal Track and Football Field and Emilio Aguinaldo College swimming pool, respectively.

In elementary baseball, Barangay Beata relied on the three RBIs (runs-batted in) by Jonel Bituin as it trashed Barangay 129, 15-3, to set up a rematch with elimination round conqueror Smokey Mountain today.

The batters from Smokey Mountain gained passage into the finals by sweeping the eliminations in the event backed by Red Bull, San Miguel, Globe, Super Ferry, IntraSports, Concept Movers, Air21, PAGCOR and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Maceda and Manuel Luis Quezon High School, both tied at No. 3 with identical 1-2 (win-loss) slates, collide for the bronze medal.

Over at the Rizal Tennis Courts, District 4 copped five of the seven gold medals staked in lawn tennis courtesy of Deo Talayod, Macy Gonzales, Zhane Quinatara and Julie Base.