Host Philippines came away with a pair of abbreviated triumphs to kick off its twin drive for the crown in the PONY Asia Pacific Zone Mustang 9 and 10 Championships yesterday at Tanauan Sports Academy in Tanauan.
Roj Palanog dished out a superb defensive effort as Phl Mustang 10 waylaid Vietnam in four innings, 20-2, to underscore its readiness to contend for the crown in the division it used to dominate before the shock upset loss to Indonesia last year.
Palanog, son coach Joel Palanog, conceded only one hit and struck out eight Vietnamese batters to lead the home side to the morale-boosting triumph ahead of its next assignment against the defending champion Indonesians.
Similarly making an auspicious opening-day performance in the event hosted by PONY Philippines headed by Tot Baseball president Boy Tingzon and co-hosted by Tanauan Mayor Tony Halili was the Phl Mustang-9 crew, which launched its title defense with an emphatic 24-9 rout of Indonesia.
Cheered by home supporters, the Filipino batters tagged the Indonesian pitchers with 14 hits, easily converting these into 24 runs, spiked by two home runs, to set the tone for the big win.
Phl officials, though, cautioned the teams against celebrating too much, too early, as their rivals might just be reserving their best bets in the homestretch of the qualifying tourney for the PONY International Mustang 9 and Mustang 10 World Series.
“The coaches of both teams feel that their opponents are still not bringing out their best players and may only bring them out on championship day on Saturday,” said Tingzon.
The event, which also features guest teams from Tanauan, is presented by HMR Trading Haus and Loro Sports.