The Philippine Men’s National Baseball Team is set to face Hong Kong in the BFA XIV East Asia Cup Finals.
John Reymond Vargas smashed another homer, while Steven Manaig also went yard, securing the Filipinos’ spot in the championship with a 9-5 victory over Thailand in the Super Round at the Clark International Sports Complex in Pampanga on Friday afternoon.
This win pushed the Philippines to 2-0 in the Super Round, alongside Hong Kong, who defeated Singapore earlier in the day.
Both teams remain unbeaten in the tournament and will first face each other tomorrow to close out the Super Round, a preview of their championship showdown on Sunday.
Thailand struck first, with Nirawit Bunnam driving in Jake Chaisongkram in a bases-loaded situation in the top of the second inning.
They added three more runs in the third, with hits from Alex Clark and Phoomwit Wutthikorn, giving Thailand an early 4-0 lead.
The Filipino batters responded with a three-run surge in the third and fourth innings. Kyle Soberano, Clarence Caasalan, Harper Sy, Steven Manaig, and Agon De Vera delivered key hits to seize control at 6-4.
Manaig’s home run in the fourth inning tied the game before De Vera’s two-RBI single put the Philippines ahead.
Vargas continued his hot streak, launching a rocket to deep left field in the fifth inning – his second homer in as many games – stretching the lead to 7-4.
The Philippines recorded 13 hits, with De Vera leading the charge with three, while Caasalan, Mark Beronilla, and Vargas each contributed two.
MJ Carolino earned the win, taking over from starter Amiel De Guzman in the fifth and pitching through the seventh inning.
Thailand’s ninth-inning rally was shut down by Paulo Macasaet, who struck out Suratit Faengsup, Matthew Daru Joseph, and Pakorn Chaikaew.
That sealed the win after Naruephol Muangkasem reached base due to a Philippines fielding error.
