Tanauan—Host Philippines and Indonesia warmed up for their dual titular clash in the PONY Asia Pacific Zone Mustang-9 and Mustang-10 Championships with victories over their respective elims rivals yesterday at Tanauan Sports Academy here.
The Phl, represented by Tanauan, rallied past guest team Entom, 15-14, ahead of its anticipated showdown with Indonesia for the Mustang-9 title and the right to carry the fight for Asia-Pacific in the upcoming PONY International World Series.
The Tanaueños trailed after the top third inning, 3-9, but cranked it up and piled up 12 runs in the next three innings to seize control for good in the event hosted by PONY Philippines headed by Tot Baseball president Boy Tingzon and co-hosted by Tanauan Mayor Tony Halili.
The home side defends its crown against Indonesia today at 11 a.m., seeking to duplicate its 24-9 victory over the latter in Thursday’s opening encounter.
Over in the Mustang-10 division, the defending champion Indonesians demolished the Vietnamese in four innings, 17-6, to set up a championship date with undefeated Phl today at 1 p.m.
The Indonesian clouters unloaded five runs in each of the first two frames to set the tone for the morale-boosting win before they face the Filipinos again in the world series-qualifying tourney presented by HMR Trading Haus and Loro Sports.
Phl Mustang-10 had hurdled its double-header assignment last Thursday, 20-2 over Vietnam and 16-0 over Indonesia, but won’t fall into complacency for the most important game of all.
“Philippine coaches believe that since it is common knowledge that the probable finalists will be Indonesia and the Philippines, they do not show all their cards. ‘Kaya maganda ang pinapalo namin laban sa kanila ay dahil ang mga second string pitchers lang ang hinaharap sa amin. Sa tingin ko may itinatago pa sila’. But we’ll be ready,” said Tingzon.
Newly-elected Philippine Amateur Baseball Association president Chito Loyzaga dropped by yesterday to check out the tournament and promised to watch the championship matches today, according to Tingzon.
