PABA draws PSC chief support

The Philippine Amateur Baseball Association (PABA) gained a strong ally after drawing the all-out support of newly-appointed Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio.

PABA deputy secretary general Prof. Francis Diaz said Gregorio gave them an assurance that he will be backing up all of their programs and projects that aim to pump life into the dormant federation.

Gregorio, for one, said he will be supporting the staging of the 2026 National Baseball Championship as well as the rehabilitation of the historic Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

“All of our ideas in reviving Philippine baseball are aligned,” said Diaz, a day after welcoming Gregorio to their newly-inaugurated office at the second floor of the Century Park Hotel in Manila last Wednesday.

Helping Diaz in rolling out the red carpet for Gregorio were PABA president Rodolfo “Boy” Tingzon, vice president Manny de Castro, secretary general Michael Asuncion, and consultant Kunifumi Ikatura.

“After congratulating us for finally having a physical office, he told us that he will support the staging of the 2026 National Baseball Championship. Actually, he already mentioned that during the general assembly with all NSA (national sports association) leaders, so it’s really good that he articulated it again during the inauguration of our new office last Wednesday.”

Aside from the staging of a national tourney, which would definitely yield a bumper crop of talents for the national squad, Gregorio also assured them that he will put the rehabilitation of the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium on top of his agenda.

“He knows that it’s very historic that’s why he wants us to play an active role in rehabilitating the Rizal Memorial stadium,” Diaz, a very good friend of Gregorio during his days at University of the Philippines, added.

Under Tingzon’s leadership, the baseball federation has sprung back to life. In fact, PABA is sustaining its presence in the international arena after sending an 18-man delegation to the Asian U15 Baseball Championship that will be held in Taiwan from 17 to 23 August.

“It’s good to know that the PSC is behind you,” said Diaz, adding that they will form national teams for 12U, 15U and 18U age brackets to give athletes a good pathway to the national team.