Little Razcals get away with late rally, edge Broncos

MANILA, Philippines - The Little Razcals, who will represent the country in the PONY (Protect Our Nation’s Youth) World Series, rallied in the final inning to beat the Marikina Broncos, 8-7, and claim the first Dominador Pangilinan Youth Baseball Invitational championship at the San Lazaro Business and Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Down three runs at the bottom of the final inning, the Little Razcals made a stirring fightback to edge the Broncos, the 2010 Metro Schools League champions.

Tournament Most Valuable Player Javier Limpo led the late surge as he got on board with a walk. This was followed by three more runs from Enzo Montemayor, Dax Fabella and Mazty Ranada.

The Broncos were comfortably ahead, 7-4, going into the bottom of the final inning. However, the decision to relieve pitcher Jayson Tangi after six innings proved costly.

“The Little Razcals showed the heart of a champion with their come-from-behind win. They were focused on what was needed to be done,” PONY Baseball Philippines president Rodolfo Tingzon Jr. said.

The Little Razcals, all aged nine years old and below, were led by Limpo, Montemayor and Ranada with two runs each.

The Broncos, with players aged 10 to 12 years old, had a balanced offensive game with seven different players scoring.

The tournament, with schedules postponed a few times because of heavy rains, served as a tune-up for the Little Razcals who will be going to the United States later this month to represent Asia in the PONY Baseball World Series.

They will be competing with seven other teams from North America, Caribbean, Europe and Mexico.

Aside from the Little Razcals and the Broncos, the first Dominador Pangilinan Youth Baseball Invitational also featured the Asian Championship-bound Habagat, and South Asia Nankyu Championship–bound Bagwis.