SEA Games 2011 Indonesia:Baseball Gold Rouses PHL Spirits.
source: Rey Bancod | mb.com.ph
PALEMBANG — Coach Edgar delos Reyes dropped on one knee at the rain-drenched field, said a little prayer before joining his players in celebration following the Philippines’ emotional 2-0 win over Indonesia in the baseball final of the 26th Southeast Asian Games Sunday.
The baseball victory and basketball's triumph highlighted the country’s modest haul of four gold medals, bringing the gold medal tally to 27 gold medals.
Alfie Catalan captured the country’s first gold in cycling when he ruled the men’s 4,000-meter individual pursuit in four minutes and 53.1 seconds, four seconds faster than Indonesian Warseso Projo. Teammate John Rene Mier took the bronze.
Filipino cyclists also took a silver through Apryl Eppinger in the women’s sprint and a bronze courtesy of the 4,000-meter pursuit squad of Mier, Catalan, John Paul Morales and Arnold Marcelo.
The Filipinos also made a breakthrough in traditional boat races when the men’s 500-meter 22-crew ended Myanmar’s domination of the event.
They held off the Burmese in the last 20 meters to win the event in one minute and 53.95 seconds, .17 of a second ahead.
In men's basketball, the Filipinos overpowered Thailand, 85-57, for the gold medal and are looking forward to another shot at winning two more in boxing on Monday.
Charly Suarez and Dennis Galvan hope to duplicate the gold medal feats of teammates Alice Kate Aparri and Josie Gabuco Saturday night.
In terms of drama, nothing comes close to baseball’s triumph.
“The gold medal was won in Manila,” said Delos Reyes, battling tears. “The boys stayed together, continued to practice even when their allowances were discontinued last June.”
Since losing to Thailand two years ago in Laos, Philippine baseball went south. Officials quarreled over leadership, prompting the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to step in.
Delos Reyes took over the coaching chores only last September, chosen among six candidates by the POC and the PSC.
When he came in, the players had been continuing practices without getting the allowances due them.
“They only received their allowances from September only a few days before we left,” Delos Reyes disclosed. “The balance we were promised would be settled after the Games.”
Delos Reyes had no intention of talking about the players’ allowances, certainly not after surviving Indonesia under driving rain.
But his comment was sought after Jonash Ponce, one of the game’s heroes, made known his sentiment.
“Kahit wala kaming allowance ng isang taon, para sa bayan ito,” Ponce yelled while teammates hugged each other.
Ponce drove in the Philippines’ second run on the bottom eighth and caught Bakti Prananda’s long fly at centerfield for the final putout.
There were others who made significant contribution to the win, but Delos Reyes reserved his most glowing tribute to Darwin dela Calzada, his left-handed pitcher who scattered four hits in eight and a half innings.
“I was getting emotional near the end. All I wanted was to finish the match,” said Dela Calzada, a 31-year-old product of University of the Philippines.
The Indons got off to a strong start when Eliam Muara Sihombing singled and Jesse Parengkuan reached base on a bunt. Both runners advanced following a sacrifice bunt by Donny Trisnadi.
But Dela Calzada was up to the challenge. He struck out Adi Susanto swinging and forced Mario Insamodra to ground out.
The Indonesians did not reach scoring position after that as the Filipino fielders made some fantastic catches.
Ahmad Effendi, the Indons’ starting pitcher, kept the Filipino batters at bay, but began to unravel after nearly hit by Ponce’s hard line drive. He managed to catch the incoming missile, but dropped on the ground in pain.
Play was stopped briefly. When Effendi returned, he was no longer the same.
“It’s psychological because he knew he could be hit,” Delos Reyes remarked.
The Filipinos started to put pressure, but only made a breakthrough on the lower eighth frame where Roel Empacis batted home Ruben Angeles who reached first base on an error.
PALEMBANG — Coach Edgar delos Reyes dropped on one knee at the rain-drenched field, said a little prayer before joining his players in celebration following the Philippines’ emotional 2-0 win over Indonesia in the baseball final of the 26th Southeast Asian Games Sunday.
The baseball victory and basketball's triumph highlighted the country’s modest haul of four gold medals, bringing the gold medal tally to 27 gold medals.
Alfie Catalan captured the country’s first gold in cycling when he ruled the men’s 4,000-meter individual pursuit in four minutes and 53.1 seconds, four seconds faster than Indonesian Warseso Projo. Teammate John Rene Mier took the bronze.
Filipino cyclists also took a silver through Apryl Eppinger in the women’s sprint and a bronze courtesy of the 4,000-meter pursuit squad of Mier, Catalan, John Paul Morales and Arnold Marcelo.
The Filipinos also made a breakthrough in traditional boat races when the men’s 500-meter 22-crew ended Myanmar’s domination of the event.
They held off the Burmese in the last 20 meters to win the event in one minute and 53.95 seconds, .17 of a second ahead.
In men's basketball, the Filipinos overpowered Thailand, 85-57, for the gold medal and are looking forward to another shot at winning two more in boxing on Monday.
Charly Suarez and Dennis Galvan hope to duplicate the gold medal feats of teammates Alice Kate Aparri and Josie Gabuco Saturday night.
In terms of drama, nothing comes close to baseball’s triumph.
“The gold medal was won in Manila,” said Delos Reyes, battling tears. “The boys stayed together, continued to practice even when their allowances were discontinued last June.”
Since losing to Thailand two years ago in Laos, Philippine baseball went south. Officials quarreled over leadership, prompting the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to step in.
Delos Reyes took over the coaching chores only last September, chosen among six candidates by the POC and the PSC.
When he came in, the players had been continuing practices without getting the allowances due them.
“They only received their allowances from September only a few days before we left,” Delos Reyes disclosed. “The balance we were promised would be settled after the Games.”
Delos Reyes had no intention of talking about the players’ allowances, certainly not after surviving Indonesia under driving rain.
But his comment was sought after Jonash Ponce, one of the game’s heroes, made known his sentiment.
“Kahit wala kaming allowance ng isang taon, para sa bayan ito,” Ponce yelled while teammates hugged each other.
Ponce drove in the Philippines’ second run on the bottom eighth and caught Bakti Prananda’s long fly at centerfield for the final putout.
There were others who made significant contribution to the win, but Delos Reyes reserved his most glowing tribute to Darwin dela Calzada, his left-handed pitcher who scattered four hits in eight and a half innings.
“I was getting emotional near the end. All I wanted was to finish the match,” said Dela Calzada, a 31-year-old product of University of the Philippines.
The Indons got off to a strong start when Eliam Muara Sihombing singled and Jesse Parengkuan reached base on a bunt. Both runners advanced following a sacrifice bunt by Donny Trisnadi.
But Dela Calzada was up to the challenge. He struck out Adi Susanto swinging and forced Mario Insamodra to ground out.
The Indonesians did not reach scoring position after that as the Filipino fielders made some fantastic catches.
Ahmad Effendi, the Indons’ starting pitcher, kept the Filipino batters at bay, but began to unravel after nearly hit by Ponce’s hard line drive. He managed to catch the incoming missile, but dropped on the ground in pain.
Play was stopped briefly. When Effendi returned, he was no longer the same.
“It’s psychological because he knew he could be hit,” Delos Reyes remarked.
The Filipinos started to put pressure, but only made a breakthrough on the lower eighth frame where Roel Empacis batted home Ruben Angeles who reached first base on an error.
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