MABALACAT, PAMPANGA — It’s going to be Super Sunday at the Villages.
The RP Blu Boys grounded Indonesia in just five innings, 9-0, Saturday.
It was the perfect bounce-back for the Philippines after experiencing its first loss of the tournament yesterday against Singapore, 3-4.
“Kahapon, ten left on base tayo. Ang sinabi ng coaches sa mga players, na ‘pag oras na may tao sa scoring position, kailangan ma-score natin ‘yun,” said head coach Apol Rosales.
Stepping up on the bat were Michael Pagkaliwagan, Jasper Cabrera, Jerome Bacarisas, the Riparips, and Rosales himself.
The Blu Boys had a total of eight hits in the contest, highlighted by a five-run fifth inning that resulted in the mercy rule.
On the mound, Leo Barredo put on a masterful performance, allowing just two hits.
Things got heated in the fifth inning when Indonesia’s Bameane Dwitama and a game official figured in a word war. Dwitama alleged that the referee threw a ball to the Indonesian shortstop, almost resulting in a bench-clearing brawl.
In the gold medal match, the Philippines will face its tormentor Singapore. And they are ready to knock them off to close out the year.
“Ang chance natin na malaki ang paniniwala po natin ay mas makukuha natin ang gold, kasi kung babalikan ‘yung pagkatalo natin, lamang tayo sa hits; marami tayong LOB, ‘di lang talaga nag-click ang iba nating mga player. ‘Yung pitching na lang ‘yung ina-address natin na kailangang mag-focus,” he said.
“Sa akin, si Rey Aliling ang pupukol.”
Also figuring in gold medal matches are the Blu Girls and the Philippine Men’s Baseball Team.
The Blu Girls will face Indonesia, while the Filipino batters will take on Thailand.
