Phl Habagat open PONY bid versus FE Russia

Games today (Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium)

8 a.m. – Chinese Taipei vs Indonesia

10 a.m. – Opening ceremonies

11 a.m. – Russia vs Philippines

1 p.m. – Chinese Taipei vs Korea

MANILA, Philippines - The chase for the World Series begins for the Philippine Habagat as they take on the region’s best batters in the 2013 PONY League Asia-Pacific Regional Qualifiers beginning today at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The Habagat take on Far East Russia at 11 a.m., gunning for an important victory to start the six-nation meet, a qualifying event for the premier 11-12 division of the PONY International World Series slated Aug. 1-4 in Los Alamitos, California.

The Filipinos are bracketed with the Russians and powerhouse Japan in the short, single round-robin eliminations, looking to finish in the Top 2 of the group to advance to the crossover semis. Phl IX tangles with Japan tomorrow.

Chinese Taipei, the defending world titlist, heads the other bracket in the company of Indonesia and Korea. The fancied Taiwanese plays a double-header on opening day against Indonesia at 8 a.m. and versus Korea at 1 p.m.

A simple opening ceremony is set at 10 a.m. with representatives of the embassies of participating countries in attendance, according to Pony League Philippines chief Rodolfo “Boy” Tingzon Jr.

“Everything is set. We just hope the weather holds up in the next four days because a typhoon is coming, so that our visitors will enjoy the games and experience Filipino hospitality,” said Tingzon.

The Filipino batters aim to improve their fourth overall finish in last year’s As-Pac in China.

“Our initial target is to make it to the Final Four and once we’re there, bilog ang bola (everybody has a chance),” said Tingzon.

The Habagat expect to get the extra energy from the home crowd to carry them through this campaign. 

“We’re hoping our countrymen will flock to the Rizal Memorial to support our team and give them the boost,” said Tingzon, adding that admission to the games is free.

Aside from the targeted As-Pac crown and first world series qualification since 1989, the Habagat squad headed by team manager/head coach Mike Ochosa is also seeking to retain the Southeast Asian title against Indonesia and the Russians from Vladivostok.

Phl IX is supported by Paragon Consulting Inc., Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog, Summit Water, 100 Plus Energy Drink, and The Fields at Nuvali.