Baseball team sweeps elims

The Philippines routed erstwhile fellow unbeaten squad Thailand, 10-0, yesterday to gear up for today’s knockout semifinals of the SEA Games baseball competition at the Rizal ballpark.

"This game served as a good preparation and motivation for the team before the semifinals," said RP coach Edgar delos Reyes after the one-sided match, which completed their four-game sweep in the elimination round.

"The pressure for the team heats up as the tourney progresses. But with the way the boys are playing, we really have a big chance for the championship," Delos Reyes added.

The RP IX goes for a shot at the title either against Indonesia or Myanmar at 10 a.m. today.

Filipino pitchers Darwin dela Calsada and Charlie Labrador struck out 11 Thai batters and allowed no runs although they yielded five hits.

Determined to match the Philippines’ tough stand in the mound, Thailand used three pitchers to no avail.

The Filipino batters belted 17 hits and erected a commanding 7-0 lead right after the fourth inning.

Team Philippines highlighted its attack with a four-run binge in the upper fourth on a double by Virgilio Roxas and singles by Andro Cuyugan and Roel Empacis.

Thailand finished second with a 3-1 win-loss mark. — Bimbo Santos