Pinoy batters open Asian bid vs Taiwanese

The Philippines’ U-23 squad faces an acid test right away in the XXVII BFA Asian Baseball Championship as it battles fancied host Chinese Taipei in today’s opener at Hsing Chuang Stadium in New Taipei City.

The Phl side, a combo of the best and brightest in the UAAP and NCAA, hopes to give the 2015 silver medalist Taiwanese a run for their money in the 6:30 p.m. match that kicks off action in the eight-day tourney that serves a qualifier for the 2018 WBSC U-23 Baseball World Cup.

After the Taiwanese, the Pinoy batters are set to take on Sri Lanka tomorrow at Tien Mou Stadium then defending champion Korea the next day on the same venue.

Losing semifinalists Japan and China, along with Hongkong and Pakistan, meanwhile, comprise Group B.

Carrying Phl’s fight are Juan Paulo Macasaet, Jon-Jon Robles, Ron Christian De la Cruz, Carlos Alberto Muñoz, Juan Diego Lozano, Jerome Yenson, Francis Michael Gesmundo, Romeo Jasmin, Lesmar Ventura, Junmar Diarao, Daniel Geoffrey Magsadia, Dino Emiglio Altomonte, Mark Steven Manaig, Alfredo De Guzman, Ignacio Luis Escaño, Clarence Caasalan, Jennald Pareja, Joannard Pareja, Juan Alvaro Macasaet, Adriane Ros Bernardo, Jonnash Ponce, Jarus Inobio, Erwin Bosito, and Marco Luis Mallari.

Edgar De los Reyes, Jeffrey Santiago, Rolando Binarao, Joseph Orillana, Fulgencio Rances and Oscar Marcelino make up the coaching staff.