12 teams vie in PNG baseball

MANILA, Philippines - A total of 12 teams have so far signified their intention to compete in the 2013 POC-PSC National Games (PNG) baseball competition, which looms as an open race for the crown in the absence of the Phl national team.

Reigning UAAP champion Ateneo and runner-up National U lead the initial cast for the hostilities slated May 25-June 2 at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium, pitting skills against the Phl youth squad, ILLAM Senior League team, Titans, Adamson U, Marikina All Stars, La Salle Canlubang Panthers, Rizal Technological U, Angeles U, La Salle-Taft, and Phl Air Force.

The national team, last year’s PNG winners, won’t be around for its defense, according to tournament director Ely Baradas.

“Per meeting with Philippine Sports Commission and the various tournament directors, athletes in sports that are not part of the calendar of the Southeast Asian Games, like baseball, are not considered national athletes. So technically, there’s no national baseball team now,” Baradas said.

According to him, affected players may revert to their mother teams like Air Force, or they may play under a different banner like Philab, depending on what Philippine Amateur Baseball Association (PABA) president Hector Navasero may later decide.

An open tournament for players aged 16 and above, the PNG baseball tourney will adopt a double-elimination format for this year.

Baradas said they are giving interested teams until May 19 to submit entries. A meeting among managers and coaches has been set for May 20 at 1 p.m. at the PSC canteen.

For further inquiries on PNG baseball, contact Baradas at 0908-8978827.