PH batters rebound, defeat Thailand for first win

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines bounced back and vented its ire on Thailand, 13-4, in the 11th Baseball Federation of Asia (BFA) Under-18 Baseball Championship Wednesday night at Taichung Ballpark in Taichung, Taiwan.

The Filipinos unloaded two runs in the seventh inning and exploded with six more in the eighth to break away from a 5-4 contest and seal their first win in two outings in Group B.

Phl IX rebounded from its 0-14 setback to powerhouse Korea in the opener last Tuesday.

Clairon Santos took the win for the Pinoy side, allowing two runs over six innings.

Fausto Eizmendi, the MVP of the Southeast Asian Youth Baseball and Softball Tournament, blasted four RBIs on his 3-for-5 stint at the plate to lead the offensive.

Diniel Bautista and Benjamin Sarmiento III also batted in two runners each for the squad, whose trip was supported by Greenlight LED Energy Solutions, Inc., Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Grace Gamboa-Palaganas, and Nueva Ecija Mayor Mary Abad.

 In the other Group B game, Korea prevailed over China, 3-1, to take the solo lead with 2-0. The Chinese fell into a tie with Phl at 1-1.