Winning Wildcats team (left to right standing) coach EJ Gesmundo, Rein Soriano (pitcher,) Andrei Valeros (pitcher,) JC Visaya (3B, Short Stop,) Poncie Alacantara (catcher,) coach Bernald Domingo, Cruz Garcia (catcher,) Mio Ilagan (catcher, LF, 3B,) Andrei Zaragoza (1B, RF,) and coach Eric Gesmundo. Left to righ kneeling, Marcus Tolentino (1B, pitcher,) Raffy Blaza (pitcher, CF,) Gian Silla (short stop, CF,) Janko Sevilla (2B, catcher,) Lheoj Palanog (pitcher, CF,) Enzo de Guzman (pitcher, catcher, short stop,) Clarence Agustin (RF,) and Tyler Tolentino (catcher, LF).
The Wildcats 10-under baseball team reigned supreme in the PONY Asia Pacific Zone Championships (Mustang Division) as they white-washed Southeast Asian rivals, Vietnam (15-2) and Indonesia (16-0) in their respective round-robin matches recently held in Tanauan, Batangas.
The Philippine Boys were even more unstoppable when they displayed their batting prowess in the title match — again vs Team Indonesia with a blitzing score of 21 runs to a lone run by opposing shortstop Adilza.
Sparked by starting batters, Enzo de Guzman and Janko Sevilla, the Mustang boys never looked back as they raced to a 12-0 advantage in the initial inning alone.
But the Philippine Boys’ dominance throughout the tournament was really their display of outstanding pitching led by Rein Soriano and Andrei Valeros and great outfield defense as opponents were kept grounded.
Cruz Garcia’s lone homer in the 4th inning sealed the team’s 21st run.
The Wildcats, who have only been training together the past two months under Father and Son coaches Eric and Ej Gesmundo will now have less than six weeks to prepare for the World Series which will be held on August 2-6 in Youngsville, Louisiana.
They will now face powerhouse teams from the US, Japan, Korea, Puerto Rico and Mexico.
This is the Philippine Mustang’s 6th title in eight years since 2011 at the ASPAC Zonals with Indonesia edging the Philippines last year and Singapore winning in 2012. In the Under 9 Division, The Philippines bagged its 4th consecutive title in the Aspac Zonals to also move on to the World Series.
Credit also goes to Coach Jhoel Palanog and Bernald Domingo who flew back to Manila from their busy schedules abroad just to help and support the team during the ASPAC Championships. /cbb