SEA Games: PH batters clobber Thais in final, reclaim baseball supremacy in the region

By Jonas Terrado

CLARKFIELD, Pampanga — The Philippines stamped its class on Thailand 15-2 Sunday afternoon to capture the gold in men’s baseball of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at The Villages here.

The national batters scored nine runs in the first three innings, capitalizing on Thailand’s struggles on the mound, to extend the country’s regional dominance in front of an appreciative crowd at the Clark International Sports Complex.

It was the Philippines’ third title in four editions in the biennial meet, including the inaugural event in 2005 in front of a packed crowd at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The Filipinos settled for silver behind Thailand in the 2007 Nakhon Ratchasima Games before regaining supremacy in the 2011 meet in Palembang, Indonesia.

Jerome Yenson produced the game’s first run in the first inning when he hit a funny hop through the legs of Sanyalak Pipatpinyo to score Erwin Bosito, who earlier reached base on a single off Thai starter Siraphop Nadee before advancing to second on an error.

Jonash Ponce and Diego Lozano drew walks to load the bases against Thai starter Siraphop Nadee. Ferdinand Liguayen also walked two batters later to score Yenson and Juan Macasaet also got a free pass, allowing Ponce to touch home plate to make it 3-0.

The Philippines continued the onslaught in the second Ponce singled to left to send home Bosito, who earlier singled and stole second and third. Lozano walked to load the bases and Mark Steven Manaig also drew a walk to score Yenson for a 5-0 advantage.

Liguayan grounded to Thailand reliever Kamolphan Kanjanavisut for a forced out at home plate. But catcher John Daru’s throw for a potential double play went past first baseman Chayaphat Suanthong, scoring Lozano and Manaig for a commanding 7-0 lead.

The Philippines tacked on two runs in the third with Bernardo scoring Jennald Pareja on a single before scoring from third on a sacrifice fly by Bosito.

Source: Manila Bulletin