Easy does it for UP; big escape for Navy

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines and Philippine Navy barged into the win column with contrasting wins yesterday in Day 2 of the PSC Chairman’s Baseball Classic at Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

UP crushed Bulacan Agricultural State College prevailed 12-1 in just five innings highlighted by a 10-run splurge in the fifth while Navy edged Throwback, 8-7, as pitcher Orlando Binarao wiggled out of a bases-loaded situation in the seventh and final inning.

The Maroons and the Navy clouters joined three early winners in the 16-team tourney held in honor of Philippine Sports Commission chair Richie Garcia.

Adamson, Rizal Technological U and National U chalked wins in Saturday’s inaugurals.

With Navy holding on to an 8-7 lead, Throwback loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the 7th and last inning. But Binarao induced a double play, then finally quelled the threat on a flyout.

James Legaspi and Gilbert Clanza led UP combined for five RBIs. The Maroons posted two runs in the second before its fifth-run rampage.

NU drubbed Titans, 11-0, late Saturday after Adamson downed University of Santo Tomas (10-3), and RTU clobbered Bulacan State (13-0).

The weekend tournament, which features the finest clubs in the nation and could be the basis of the formation of the new national team, got going after a ceremony attended by Garcia along with Japanese visitors, including Suwa City Mayor Katsufumi Yamada, tourism officials Tsuneo Iguchi, and Tichie Kaneko.

The double-round elimination championship ends on Dec. 22.