By: Ramon Torres, Inquirer Sports
Pathum Thani, Thailand – The Philippine men’s baseball team unleashed a torrent of offense, demolishing Malaysia 21-0 in a mercy-rule rout after five innings to stay perfect at 3-0 in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games on Friday.
Liam de Vera stole the show, pounding out four RBIs in a clinic of power hitting that exploited Malaysian defensive lapses. The Filipinos feasted on 11 free passes and three errors, piling on runs with ruthless efficiency—nine in the first, seven in the second—to bury their rivals early.
On the mound, starter Clarence Caasalan was lights-out, fanning six over three innings while surrendering just one hit. The bullpen slammed the door, ensuring the shutout in a display of total command.
The lopsided win catapults the Philippines into a tie with host Thailand atop the standings, setting the stage for a blockbuster clash with the defending champions. Coach Orlando Binarao kept his squad grounded: “We have our eyes on them, but we also know that they have their eyes on us.” Thailand, hungry to avenge the Philippines’ 2019 gold—their only other SEA Games title in the sport—has imported firepower from American and Japanese leagues.
Next up: A tune-up against Vietnam on Tuesday, followed by the Thailand showdown on Wednesday—a potential gold-medal preview. With this flawless run, the Azkals of the diamond are roaring louder than ever, proving they’re not just in the hunt—they’re the hunters.