Triumphant Barakos train sights on World Series

MANILA, Philippines - The battle is not over for the Philippine Barakos.

After conquering Asia, the Barakos will now go for the PONY Bronco-11 World Series title set in Chesterfield, Virginia from July 25-31.

The young Filipinos earned the right to represent the region after clinching the first PONY International Asia Pacific Zone Bronco-11 Championship in Singapore over the weekend with a thrilling 5-4 win over Indonesia.

Although the world campaign will definitely be tougher, the Barakos still like their chances.

“The World Series is a highly competitive but we’re getting ready for it,” said Philippine Tot Baseball Foundation president Rodolfo Tingzon Jr.

“We just need more exposure to know the level of play but we’re aware of the strength and weakness of other teams like the Mexicans and Americans,” added Tingzon, a guest in the PSA Forum Tuesday at Shakey’s UN Ave.

The different champions from Europe, South Africa, Mexico, and the different zones in the US are competing in the weeklong meet.

Tingzon, who accompanied team members Cobey Tingzon, John Fritz Matanauan, Gabriele Alcaraz, and tournament MVP Christopher Alan Clark in the session presented by Smart, Shakey’s, and the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), said teams from California are the ones considered favorites for the crown.

The country’s cause is further strengthened by the fact that the top two Baseball Classic teams right now come from Asia – two-time defending champion Japan and Korea. Baseball Classic is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF).

Tingzon said the Barakos are actually using the same system of playing applied by the Japanese, which he added, will be a big advantage for the team when it goes up against foreign squads featuring bigger players.

“The Japanese system is precisely designed at how to beat bigger people, and we know that Japan is back-to-back champion in Baseball Classic,” said Tingzon.

The Barakos, composed of 10 boys from Batangas and four from Muntinlupa, also need to adjust in terms of the type of balls they will use in Virginia.

“They have to get used to playing leather balls in the US because here in Asia we’re playing with rubber balls,” said Tingzon.

And then there’s the adjustment as far as pitching is concerned.

“Their pitchers no longer throw fastball, only curveball so we need to train these boys on curveball,” said Tingzon.