Romero offers to help national baseball team

MANILA, Philippines –  Inspired by the Manila Sharks’ back-to-back title romp in the Baseball Philippines Series, sports patron Mikee Romero said he’s willing to lend a hand in forming the national team to next year’s Southeast Asian Games.

“If the baseball leaders would like me to help form a team, then I’m willing to help,” said Romero, Harbour Centre cage team owner who also backed the Sharks’ triumphant campaign in the country’s premier baseball league.

The Sharks became the first back-to-back champions of the league by sweeping the Batangas Bulls in the BP Series 7 best-of-three playoff, capped by a 7-0 rout last Saturday.

“Our back-to-back championship inspired me to help form a national team again,” said Romero, who bankrolled the national team’s successful gold medal drive in the 2007 SEA Games in Thailand.

The Manila Sharks bagged their first championship by beating the fancied Cebu Dolphins in the Series 6 last July.

“It’s really a great year for the Manila Sharks and we hope to reinforce the team with young and talented players for future competitions,” said Romero.

He has challenged the Manila Sharks management, headed by Richard Cruz, to help form the national team for next year’s SEA Games in Indonesia.

Considered as the godfather of amateur basketball, Romero also wants to help other sports that have the potential to hit it big in the international arena.

Romero also noted that several Asian players, some of them pitchers, are now making a name for themselves in the Major League Baseball, and he would be glad if he can help a Filipino player achieve their dream of playing in the big leagues.

“We are once feared in baseball in Asia but now, the Japanese, Koreans and Taiwanese are lording it over,” said Romero, whose Harbour Centre squad won a record seven straight championships in the PBL.

Romero, however, is not thinking yet about the Asian competition since he wants to boost the country’s baseball program first and remain as the region’s power.