Razcals, Barakos take opener in Asian elims

MANILA, Philippines - The Razcals and Barakos launched their bid for a place in the World Series with imposing wins on the first day of the PONY Mustang and Bronco Asian eliminations at the Senayan Baseball stadium in Jakarta.

The Razcals, leaning on base-running skills, crushed the error-prone Indonesian host team, 12-2, in an abbreviated duel for their opening win in the competition for boys 9-10 years old.

Superb pitching by Kean Matanguihan, Jestor Tapia and BJ Mangahas kept the Indonesians at bay.

The Barakos erupted with 12 hits capped by a three-run home run by Reden Tapia to score a 21-1 victory over Singapore in the other event for 11-year-old boys.

Tapia also shone in the mound where he allowed the Singaporeans only two hits while his team went 4-for-4 at bat to score the lopsided win.

Tot Baseball president Boy Tingzon said the twin victories put both teams on course in their goal to represent the Asian region in the Mustang World Series in Texas and the Bronco-11 World Series in Virginia.