MANILA, Philippines - Host Philippines overpowered Indonesia, 8-1, yesterday to open its campaign in the Pony Baseball/Softball International’s 2010 Asia-Pacific Zone Pony Division Championships on a high note at the Sto. Niño grounds in Marikina City.
The Filipinos, represented by batters from Tanauan, Batangas, never gave the Indonesians a chance as they opened up with two runs in the bottom of the second inning then turned in a pair of three-run binges in the fourth and fifth frames to seal the victory.
The visiting squad actually fought back to within one on top of the third but its bid fizzled out in the face of the Pinoy batters’ charge in the next two innings.
RP guns for its second straight win as it takes on powerhouse Japan at 10 a.m. today in the event organized by Philippine Tot Baseball Foundation president Rodolfo “Boy” Tingzon Jr. and hosted by Marikina City headed by Mayor Del de Guzman.
Japan was playing Chinese- Taipei, which last won the title staged here four years ago, at press time in what could be a preview of the championship.
After the Japanese, the Filipinos battle the fancied Taiwanese tomorrow also at 10 a.m. in the four-day meet backed by 100 Plus and Summit Natural Drinking Water.
The finals are set at 1 p.m. while the battle for third place is at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
De Guzman welcomed all four participating teams as well as the guests and fans who came during the simple opening rites. Tingzon declared the games open.
“Good luck to the participants and we welcome you in our beautiful city,” said de Guzman.
Vice Mayor Fabian Cadiz, councilors Ariel Cuaresma, Eva Aguirre Paz, Erning Flores Pastor, Mike del Rosario and Ronnie Acuna and city administrator and baseball and softball fanatic Vic Sabiniano and the Department of Education’s Isabelita Fernandez also graced the opener.
International official Yoshi Oda of Japan and tournament director Chito Manuel will take care of the technical aspect of the tournament.