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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider PH braces for East Asia baseball tourney

PH braces for East Asia baseball tourney

Published Oct 1, 2024 10:43 am

At A Glance

  • The Philippine men's baseball team is confident of repeating its success when it opens its title defense in the 14th BFA East Asia Baseball Cup (formerly Asian Baseball Cup) in Clark, Pampanga slated from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4.

The Philippine men's baseball team is confident of repeating its success when it opens its title defense in the 14th BFA East Asia Baseball Cup (formerly Asian Baseball Cup) in Clark, Pampanga slated from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4.

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(From left to right) Shortstop Agon De Vera, third base and pitcher Clarence Caasaan, PABA chief Chito Loyzaga and coach Vince Sagisi

Going for their fifth consecutive title, Philippine Amateur Baseball Association President Chito Loyzaga sees the Nationals dominating the field with new coach Vince Sagisi, a former MLB team scout, at the helm.

“This is something we treasure, and we're supposed to be the powerhouse here,” said Loyzaga in Tuesday’s PSA Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 app ArenaPlus.

“With our involvement now with BFA, they wanted us to host. It’s been 30 years since we last hosted this… they were happy and awarded the hosting to us last May. Hopefully, we can perform well and we can keep up with the trademark of being the dominant players,” he added.

Sagisi, who has been in the baseball industry for 30 years, holds an impressive resume which includes stints with the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians), St. Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers. He emphasized that he will bring a different approach and development of baseball here in the country.

“My goal is to promote and elevate the quality of baseball here in the Philippines and we’re doing that. We’re going to be the next great baseball Asian country,” said Sagisi. “I didn't come from the US to the Philippines to just finish 2nd place and we'll be prepared like no other team.”

Clarence Caasaan (third base/pitcher) and Agon De Vera (shortstop) will spearhead the Nationals in the week-long joust.

The biennial baseball meet returns to the country with seven participating squads: Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and host Philippines.

The top two teams will earn tickets to the Asian Baseball Championship.

From there the country will possibly face top-notch squads in world No. 1 Japan, Chinese Taipei, South Korea and China.

The rosters are yet to be disclosed and expected to be announced next week.

The Filipino batters, who are Asia’s No. 5 and world No. 27, claimed the crown in the Thailand edition after beating Hong Kong, 10-2, in the final.

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