Asian Games: PH bows out of contention in baseball

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine men’s baseball team has been eliminated from the super round after suffering a 2-0 defeat to host China during the Hangzhou Asian Games at the Shaoxing Baseball and Softball Center on Monday.

The Philippine batters could not take advantage of a scoring situation before allowing China to produce a run each in the sixth and seventh innings, ultimately leading to a second straight loss in Group A.

Japan’s 18-0 defeat by Laos in the nightcap confirmed the Philippines’ relegation to the seeding round, where fifth to eighth places will be determined.

Both teams will face the bottom two teams of Group B.

But before that, the Philippines will face Laos on Tuesday to conclude group play.

An opportunity to take the lead came in the top of the sixth inning when Lord Aragom de Vera hit a one-out single before advancing to second base when Chinese pitcher Li Ningji was called for a balk. De Vera later reached third base on a sacrifice bunt by Erwin Bosito for the second out.

Jennald Pareja walked to put runners on the corners, but Kyle Soberano flied out to right field, leaving the Philippines empty-handed.

China scored its first run when Kou Yongkang tripled to center off Filipino starter Romeo Jasmin and scored Liang Pei, who earlier singled and took second on a sacrifice bunt, in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The Chinese doubled the lead the next inning after a Pareja error at third base scored Lu Yun.

Iggy Escano led off the eighth inning with a single, but the early quest of a Philippine rally ended quickly when Ferdinand Liguayan grounded into a double play.

China ultimately retired the last four batters to seal the Philippines’ defeat.