Though dragged into a full game for the first time in the XIII BFA East Asian Cup, the Philippine Men’s National Baseball Team still delivered.
Behind stellar fielding, the Philippines grounded Thailand, 12-4, to advance to the Final, Tuesday at Baseball Stadium Queen Sirikit Sports Center in Pathum Thani, Thailand.
The Philippines is 2-0 in the super round after also defeating Singapore in the pool phase, 20-0.
Singapore lost to Hong Kong in the other Super Round game, 3-0, to bow out of contention.
Against Vladi Eguia early, the Thais were able to punch three runs on a hit in the opening inning.
The Philippines stormed back with five runs at the bottom of the inning as the Thai pitcher’s throws went array.
Eguia’s stint on the mound ended after the fifth inning with Junmar Diarao closing things out, allowing just two hits and no runs to close out the game.
Eguia had six strikeouts in the game while Diarao got four.
On offense, third baseman Jennald Pareja sparked the Filipinos, going 2-of-5 at-bat for three RBIs.
Substitute left fielder Bryan Castillo hit a two-RBI triple to right field in the seventh inning that gave the Filipinos an 11-4 cushion entering the final inning of play. The Adamson stalwart also provided solid plays on the defensive end when Thailand threatened to score.
The Philippines will face Hong Kong next on Wednesday.
The Line:
Thailand 301 000 000 4 4 3
Philippines 512 000 21X 12 6 2
