Filipino pitcher Amiel De Guzman played hero to strike out Thai batters as the Philippines remain champion for the 9th time in this year’s SEAGames.
PATHUM THANI, Thailand — Despite the jeers and taunts of a Thai crowd hooting for its home team, the Philippine men’s baseball team remained focused as it edged out the Thais in a tightly contested final, 5-3, at the Queen Sirikit Sports Center on Friday night to keep the men’s baseball championship at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
Exuding confidence, Filipino pitcher Amiel De Guzman struck out Thai batter Piyathat Saibukaew to close the match and protect the country’s lead in the 9th and final inning.
“I just enjoyed my time on the mound. For as long as you enjoy what you do, you can do whatever that is. No pressure at all, I was just enjoying the moment,” De Guzman enthused after the Philippines was declared winner and still champion.
The national team defeated the Thais, 8-7, in 10 innings during the eliminations last Wednesday and finished the tournament unbeaten in seven games.
On Friday, the Filipinos built a 4-0 lead through four innings but Thailand threatened to come back with two runs at the sixth. They then scored another run at the bottom of the seventh yet the Thais fought right back at the top of the eight and held on defensively at the bottom inning to put more pressure on the visitors.
De Guzman, however, refused to buckle, and retired Thailand’s batters for the sixth baseball gold of the Philippines in the biennial meet.
“Everyone played well, and we trusted each other. One player’s game wouldn’t look good if only one person was doing the work, so we helped each other as a team to win this game,” the Pinoy pitcher was thankful for the victory.