The new leadership of the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association (PABA) will apply the same formula used by their former president, Joaquin “Chito” Loyzaga.

In an interview with DAILY TRIBUNE, PABA corporate secretary Jose Antonio Muñoz said their new president, Rodolfo Tingzon, will use the program plotted by Loyzaga as they prepare for the Asian Baseball Championship in China from 22 to 29 September and the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand from 9 to 20 December.

Tingzon, who was named as new baseball president in an election at the Alabang Country Club last week, used to work closely with Loyzaga so there will be no problem implementing the same formula that made PABA one of the most successful sports federations in the country.

“We will continue the way we did under Mr. Chito because we already established the foundation. So we just have to continue building on that foundation,” said Muñoz, who used to be the federation’s secretary general.

“So, he was working very closely with Chito for the last six years. He has the credentials, not only in the Philippines but also in Asia.”

Under Loyzaga’s term, the Philippines saw success in Asian baseball.

The Filipino batters completed a rare five-peat when they ruled the BFA East Asia Cup last year. They were also able to beat powerhouse Thailand, 15-2, to secure the gold medal in the country’s hosting of the SEA Games in 2019.

But his biggest achievement as baseball chief was when the country emerged fourth place during the 2023 Asian Baseball Championship in Taiwan — its highest finish after six years.

Muñoz said their goal for the year is to beat powerhouse China in the Asian Baseball Championship.

“It would be nice if we could beat China. So we will work hard to beat China,” Muñoz said.

National team head coach Vince Sagisi agrees, saying that they have a very good chance of taking down the Chinese.

“We’re targeting China as possibly the team that we could compete and possibly beat. I think Japan, Korea, Taiwan, they have so much talent, depth, the depth in talent versus the Philippines,” Sagisi said.

“They (China) got younger in the last several years where they went from an older type of team to now younger teams where the majority of their best players are at the 23 age group.”

“So I think if we perform well and play well, that may be the best team for us to try to get a win and eventually get into the top four.”