‘Pato’ helps PABA link up with Reds

The Philippine Amateur Baseball Association (PABA) just got a huge boost after reaching an agreement with a Major League Baseball (MLB) team.

PABA president Rodolfo Tingzon Jr. told DAILY TRIBUNE that no less than Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio helped them link up with the Cincinnati Reds.

The Philippines recently played three friendly matches against Singapore over the weekend at the University of the Philippines baseball field.

“Actually, he (Gregorio) introduced us to someone in Cincinnati or Chicago, I think. But he has contacts in the Cincinnati Reds, the MLB team,” Tingzon said.

“And he said, why don't you have a cooperation between our MLB team? That's what we really wanted. He said, ‘I will link you up to one.’”

Tingzon said they are still finalizing the details but the partnership will do wonders for the Filipino batters.

“This is a very good break. We will really have to follow up and work on this,” Tingzon said.

“It only happens once in a lifetime.”

Tingzon said Gregorio praised them for collaborating with Singapore for the friendly games."

“He praised the cooperation between Southeast Asian nations and the Philippines, wanting to learn from each other.

“That is the best way of not only learning from each other, but also for sports tourism,” Tingzon said.