The legend of Romeo Jasmin continues to grow at 37 years old.
Starting pitcher Jasmin went eight innings deep, leading the Philippine Men’s National Baseball Team to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games gold medal with a 5-3 victory over host Thailand on Friday at the Queen Sirikit Stadium.
This marks the Philippines’ third consecutive gold in the biennial baseball event over 14 years, despite the sport’s intermittent inclusion in the Games.
The common thread among these three titles is Jasmin himself, who was part of the gold-winning teams at the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia, 2019 at home, and now in Thailand.
Having thrown strikes for his country for so long, Jasmin revealed that his experience pushed him to go eight innings against the eventual silver medalists, who fielded Thai-American and Thai-Japanese recruits — even though he and team manager Orlando Binarao had only agreed on six to seven innings in the championship.
“Ginamit ko lang ‘yung pagka-experienced ko bilang isang player. Yun ang naging puhunan ko, ‘yun ang naging sandigan ko,” said the Adamson University product.
“Ang usapan talaga namin, six, seven innings, yun lang talaga ang aming usapan. Six or seven innings lang talaga yung dapat kong ipi-pitch pero maganda ‘yung pini-pitch ko at natutulungan naman ako ng depensa namin.”
Jasmin threw 99 pitches — 80 of them strikes — before being replaced by lefty closer Amiel de Guzman in the top of the ninth inning after giving up a leadoff single to Jake Chaisongkram.
The unorthodox sidearm pitcher finished with just six hits allowed while striking out 10 Thai batters in eight innings.
“Nung ninth inning, talagang nasusundan na nila ako, talagang nache-check na nila ako. Buti na lang magaling din talaga ‘yung mga backup ko na pitcher,” shared Jasmin.
Aside from De Guzman, the Nationals’ bullpen included MJ Carolino, Junmar Diarao, Francis Gonzaga, James Nisnisan, Paulo Macasaet, Joshua Pineda, and Kobe Torres.
Overcoming the challenge posed by Thailand, which the Philippines had only narrowly beaten 8-7 in 10 innings during the eliminations, Jasmin said this was probably his most satisfying win with the national team.
“Sa aking career, ito ‘yung pinaka-pressure para sa akin kasi bago pa mag-SEA Games, parang ang bigat na sa akin eh kasi iba talaga ‘yung team ng Thailand ngayon,” said Jasmin.
Despite the pressure, Jasmin persevered, carrying the Philippines — and all the experience he gained playing for the flag — on his back.
For that, his legend has become even more legendary.
