Habagat opens Pony League title bid against Russia

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines seeks to make the most out of the hometown advantage when its Habagat team competes against the region’s best in the PONY League Asia-Pacific Regional Qualifiers from July 14-17 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The Habagat are expected to have their hands full against group-mates Japan and Far East Russia in the eliminations and should they advance to the playoff stages, anyone among defending world champion Chinese-Taipei, Korea and Indonesia from the other group.

Winner of the six-nation regionals will represent Aspac in the PONY International World Series slated Aug. 1-4 in Los Alamitos, California.

“Our initial target is to make it to the Final Four and once we’re there, anything can happen. We’re hoping our countrymen will flock to the Rizal Memorial to support our team and give them the boost,” said Pony League Philippines chief Rodolfo “Boy” Tingzon Jr.

The four-day regionals for clouters aged 11-12 blast off on Sunday with reigning world titlist Chinese-Taipei taking on Indonesia at 8 a.m. A formal opening ceremony is set at 10:30 a.m. to be followed by the debut of the Habagat against Far East Russia. The Taiwanese return to the field in the afternoon to play Korea.

“This is a tough field considering the defending world champion is here; I think whoever wins the Aspac will likely become the world champion,” said Tingzon, whose association is hosting the Aspac for the third time.

The Habagat will also be defending the Southeast Asian crown during the Aspac tilt.  Last year, the Filipinos beat Indonesia, Hong Kong and Far East Russia for the SEA diadem and placed fourth overall in Asia-Pacific in China.

Foreign delegations started arriving last night with the Russians from Vladivostok the first to check in.

Phl IX, which are seeking to make the World Series for the first time since going all the way to the crown in 1989, is supported by Paragon Consulting Inc., Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog, Summit Water, 100 Plus Energy Drink, and The Fields at Nuvali.