The national team vows to fight for pride and glory when it competes in the U15 Asian Baseball Championships in Taiwan from 17 to 23 August.  Photograph courtesy of PABA
SPORTS

Young batters vie in Asian tourney

DT

The national youth squad will be chasing glory when it competes in the U15 Asian Baseball Championships in Taiwan from 17 to 23 August.

The Philippine Amateur Baseball Association, led by vice president Manny de Castro, secretary general Michael Asuncion, and deputy secretary general Kiko Diaz, will be deploying 18 players in the prestigious tourney that will bring together the best youth teams in Asia.

Leading the squad that underwent a rigorous selection process are Kristoffer Agojo, Radreid Atienza, Eidriel Balahadia, James Michael Balderian, Lance Brown and Ross Brixter Castillo.

“The battle will not be easy with the presence of powerhouse teams like Japan, Korea and Chinese Taipei,” said Asuncion, who mans the federation’s day-to-day operations.

“But we’ll do our best to make the country proud.”

Rounding out the national team are Francis Deomano, Rhod Divino, Prince Garcia, Kyle Lumbres, Jerwyn Maala, Daniel Manaig, Jacob Marudo, Ray Ferdinand Mercado, Charles Monterey, Johniel Andrew Platon, Aljon Santelices and Arken Vispo.

Their head coach is Iking Gonzales with Eduard Tuazon, Anthony Dizer and Vlady Eguia as assistant coaches.