The Katayama Baseball Academy scraped past powerhouse De La Salle, 4-3, in the opening game of the 1 United Philippines Baseball Tournament at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium over the weekend.
Stars’ player/coach Keiji Katayama utilized his three pitchers against Green Archer batters as starter Raymond Nerosa lorded it over the mound in 5 innings, Diego Lozano pitched in the next 2, while Alvin Herrera held the rallying sluggers until the final frame highlighted by a strikeout to prevent an equalizer and a winning run.
This sealed the first victory by the KBA in the first post-pandemic tournament sanctioned by Philippine Amateur Baseball Association at the Rizal Baseball Diamond in Malate, Manila.
“National team players (Mark) Beronilla had 3 hits and (Ignacio) Escano did a good job offensively. We had a good start in this tournament,” said Japanese baseball expert and sports patron Keiji Katayama, who is based in the Philippines.
The KBA Stars team is composed of Kyle Villafania Jr., Escano, Beronilla, Clairon Santos, Boo Barandiaran, Danric Catativo, Carl and Luis Miñana, Dino Almonte, Anton Rosas, Marion Gonzales, Allan Jay Dimal, Javi Macasaet, Gerard Riparip, Sean Jeremy Salaysay, Gino Tantuico, Alwen Nicole, Jason Salamida, Marco Mallari, actor/ sportsman Gary Ejercito, Nerosa, Herrera and Lozano.
After the curtain raiser of the triple-header was a colorful opening ceremony graced by PABA secretary general Jose ‘Pepe’ Munoz.
The tournament is divided into two groups, with KBA Stars and DLSU in bracket A, along with National University, University of Santo Tomas, Thunderz and Philippine Air Force. In bracket B are ADU, IPPC, ADMU, Tanauan, UP-A and UP-B.
