John Reymond Vargas delivered the goods once again as the Philippine Men’s National Baseball Team edged out Hong Kong, 4-2, to enter the BFA XIV East Asia Cup Finals undefeated on Saturday afternoon at the Clark International Sports Complex in Pampanga.
The championship match between the Philippines and Hong Kong will be tomorrow at 11 a.m. where the hometown heroes are eyeing to secure a fifth straight title.
With the Hong Kong side ahead 2-1 after an Andy Lo two-RBI single during a two-out, bases loaded situation in the bottom of the fifth inning, Vargas responded instantly.
The 24-year-old University of Santo Tomas product, who has homered in the past two games, this time came through with all the bases occupied, drilling a single to left field that scored Kyle Soberano and Agon De Vera to give the Philippines a 3-2 advantage in the top of the sixth.
Clarence Caasalan then took over pitching duties for the Filipinos in the bottom of the sixth, holding Hong Kong to a single hit the rest of the way for the victory.
Vargas, who has an insane .538 batting average, went 2-of-4 at-bat with two RBIs. Nigel Paule and Soberano got the other two RBIs for the Nationals.
John Matanguihan was credited with the win while Caasalan got the save.
