MANILA, Philippines - RP-Enton team survived playing with just nine players and an early five run deficit to score a come-from-behind 7-5 victory over a tough Rizal Technological University in the PABA Super Baseball League semifinals Saturday at the Korean Baseball Field in Carmona, Cavite.
RTU, the CHED National Games baseball champion, scored two runs in the first inning on errors while Christian Maghanoy blasted a two-run single off Tsuyoshi Horibata to cap a three-run, three-hit performance at the upper second inning for a 5-0 lead.
Jonjon Robles, taking the mound for the 18-year-old Horibata, showed his stuff as he gave up just a hit and struck out 11 batters in the next seven innings.
Robles himself scored the insurance run in the eighth inning as he doubled to deep center, advanced to third on a fielder’s choice and scooted home on a wild pitch by RTU relief pitcher Ferdinand Liguayan.
The other half of the national players in RP-Philab easily made it to the finals with a 10-0 rout over the RP Youth-Ateneo nine.
The finals pitting RP Philab and RP Entom start Oct. 16.