THE Philippines boosted its chances of retaining the East Asia Baseball Cup, beating finals nemesis Hong Kong, 4-2, at the end of the super round on Saturday at The Villages in Clark, Pampanga.
The Pinoy batters won the battle between undefeated teams to close the super round with four wins during what was essentially a no-bearing contest but still provided a morale advantage ahead of the championship game against Hong Kong.
It was Hong Kong's first defeat after four matches.
READ: PH batters overhaul four-run deficit vs Thailand, reach East Asia Cup final
The Philippines and Hong Kong clash for the East Asia Cup crown on Sunday, 11 a.m. at The Villages, with the host squad managed by Vince Sagisi vying for their fifth straight title in the tournament. It will actually be a rematch of the 2023 finals, with the Philippines routing Thailand, 10-2, in Bangkok.
The Filipino batters kept their unbeaten slate that now stands at four, responding after the fifth inning that saw them conceding the lead by giving up two runs against Hong Kong.
Clarence Caasalan showed the way on the mound, preserving a two-run sixth inning that allowed the Philippines to regain the lead immediately. Caasalan had a four-inning relief appearance, allowing only a hit while striking out four Hong Kong batters to get the save.
John Leonel Matanguihan was adjudged as the winning pitcher after a one-third inning of relief.
John Vargas blasted a two-run single to left field with two outs to score Kyle Soberano and Lord De Vera to turn a 1-2 deficit into a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning.
After recording two outs to open the sixth inning, the Philippines took advantage of the sloppy play of Hong Kong with Soberano stealing second base to put himself in scoring position and reaching third base after a fielding error that sent De Vera at first base.
Harper Sy was hit by a pitch by Hong Kong hurler Yui Fung Wong to load the bases, setting up the Vargas run-scoring at-bat.
A sacrifice fly by Soberano in the seventh inning got the Philippines enough cushion for the win.
Veteran pitcher Romeo Jasmin, who was the winning hurler in the Philippines' first game against Indonesia, will start against Hong Kong in the final.
The tournament presented by Smart, PLDT Home, and Philippine Sports Commission, and also supported by San Miguel Foods, Clark Development Corporation, Pythos Technologies, Metro Pacific Tollways, Meralco, MWell, Genesis Transport, Kenko, SSK, Brett, Carmen’s Best, Cogent, and CEDC.
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