Philippine men’s baseball team. –Norman Macasaet via Philippine Amateur Baseball Association Facebook
The Philippine men’s baseball team completed a sweep of the East Asia Baseball Cup after repeating over Hong Kong, 10-2, in the championship game on Thursday in Bangkok, Thailand.
A six-run fourth inning coupled with the dominant pitching of veteran Romeo Jasmin propelled the Filipino batters to the championship of a tournament that was the team’s first since the start of the pandemic.
It was the Philippines’ fourth straight title in the competition participated in by teams from East Asia, adding to its victories in the first three editions in 2012, 2015 and 2018, while also qualifying for the Asian Baseball Championship slated for November in Taiwan.
The Filipino batters won all six games, including convincing wins over Malaysia (21-1), Cambodia (15-0) and Singapore (20-0) in Group B and defeating host Thailand (12-4) and Hong Kong (8-1) in the super round.
Hong Kong tied the Final at 1-1 in the top half of the third, but Ferdinand Liguayan hit a line drive to center which allowed Aids Bernardo to scamper from second and put the Philippines back in front with one out in the bottom of the fourth.
Bryan Castillo later drew a walk with the bases loaded, scoring Mark Steven Manaig while a sacrifice fly by Jennald Pareja sent Liguayan home from third to make it 4-1 for the Philippines.
Erwin Bosito also scored from third on a passed ball with two outs while Iggy Escaño hit a two-run single two batters later to complete the Philippine onslaught.
Jasmin, known mostly for his underhand throw, pitched seven innings on his way to winning Most Valuable Player honors.