[PotatoPeeler]

Originally Posted by pat

P.S. I would like to thank someone who gave me OOTP 2007 as a gift. I'm not sure if he wanted to be named. Thank you.

I missed this the first time through. Wow, pat! 2nd year in a row, huh? I guess it's not true that nice guys finish last.

[pat]

Originally Posted by PotatoPeeler

I missed this the first time through. Wow, pat! 2nd year in a row, huh? I guess it's not true that nice guys finish last.

Yeah. I'm really thankful for this wonderful community.

[pat]

Rodel Hernandez watches his RBI double. It was a clutch hit, I'm loving Rodel.

QUEZON CITY -- As he run to second base, all Rodel Hernandez could think about was that the game wasn't over.

``I felt great. But the bottom line was we had one more half-inning to get out of it,'' Hernandez said Tuesday night after his go-ahead RBI double in the 8th inning sent the Quezon City United to a 9-8 victory over the Davao Winds.

``I was fortunate to get a ball I could handle and hit out of the infield. Then, we went out there and shut the door. It was a big first win for us.''

Hernandez lined a 3-2 pitch into the left-field wall off loser Wildemar Agne (0-1)

The Winds had the potential game-winning run in scoring position in the 9th inning but couldn't take the lead. United left fielder Sherwin Parena caught the linedrive by E.E. Basa to snatch their first ever win in the history.

``We had chances. So did they,'' Winds manager Efren Wichman said. ``We battled and played hard. We just didn't get the big hit when we needed it.''

``They always say that first win of the year is always the toughest to get. I don't know if it can get much tougher than this,'' United manager Artemio Ojeda said. ``We're glad to have that one behind us now so we can get going forward.''

Honesto Hidalgo (1-0), the fourth Quezon City pitcher, went an inning for the victory in what seemed to be the most thrilling game of the young season.

Edilberto Pecson drove in three runs for the United, two on a second-inning single that fell in front of leftfielder Sherwin Escamillan, who took a step backward before realizing the ball wasn't hit that hard.

Quezon City starter Jejomar Enrile allowed four runs and six hits in five innings before departing with a 6-4 lead. He struck out 10 in the process.

Closer Jaicus Rondez (1st save) run into a lot of trouble but escaped a ninth inning bases loaded situation.

Notes: Herson Macarandang was injured being hit by a pitch in the second inning.

Player of the Game:

Edilberto Pecson
(3 for 3, 3 RBI, 2 BB)

Pat's thought on the game: It was a thriller. Good way to earn our first win in our team history. Enrile struck out ten but our rather weak bullpen couldn't hold the lead. Thanks to our offense, they bailed them out. Good job, guys.

[rbartlett]

Excellent.

Good storyline and superb writing.

[pat]

Originally Posted by rbartlett

Excellent.

Good storyline and superb writing.

Thank you. Hope you join the ride in following the league, specifically, the team, Quezon City United. It's free, anyway.

[pat]

This is my thought on how the fire started. Baronia is one great guy. If only he is our starting catcher, I'll give him a bonus.

ANTIPOLO, RIZAL – Everyone has their own hero. Most people identify their hero because they are close to them or because they are popular. But this time, it wasn’t the case.

Philam Baronia, starting catcher of Antipolo Shootout, became a hero to one elderly man. They don’t know him personally – since Baronia just recently moved to Antipolo – and his not yet popular – but he would be soon.

It happened near Baronia’s apartment. The small fire broke out on a mattress in a bedroom. Three elderly people were inside at the time. Two of them made it out safe.

Neighbors heard someone was still inside and rushed to help. Then all of a sudden, Philam Baronia kicked in the door and pulled the third victim to safety. Two good Samaritans suffered smoke inhalation. The elderly victim was flown to a hospital.

The fire may have started by someone smoking in bed. An investigation is underway.

Baronia suffered a sore knee and may be out for a couple of weeks.

[pat]

Aguila registered 11 Ks. Looks like he's an ace in a closet.

QUEZON CITY -- Ninfa Aguila gave the Quezon City United a boost by throwing strikes, and they showed their appreciation by stroking hits.

Aguila had a career-high 11 strikeouts in his debut. United compiled 11 hits and beat the Davao Winds 8-2 Wednesday to win their opening series.

``We needed this from him badly,'' manager Artemio Ojeda said. ``He knows how to pitch. He knows how to move the ball in or out. Control is his only problem”

``If we keep winning two out of three, we'll be in the Philippine Cup, won't we?'' catcher Dimacali Fflunker said.

Aguila (1-0) allowed four hits and two runs in 8 innings. When asked to explain so many strikeouts by the Winds, he laughed and said, ``They haven't seen me before.''

Melchor Napeñas (0-1) gave up eight hits and five runs. Jaicus Baldoz hit his first home run of the season to start the scoring, but that’s almost all the Winds could get.

After Jilenko “Nine Fingers” Saranillo was hit by a pitch and Edilberto Pecson hit a single, Rodel Hernandez drove home “Nine Fingers” then outfielder, Sherwin Parena hit a deep fly ball to score Pecson, which gave the United their first lead of the game.

With the score tied at 2-2, Quezon City added three runs in the seventh and in the eight against Efren Tabinas. Starter Ninfa Aguila started the inning with a single, Meynard Ligeralde moved him along with a sacrifice bunt. Ignis followed with a ground out that shifted Aguila to third. Ysmael “The Sheriff” Aragon earned his second walk of the game. Having runners at the corners, “Nine Fingers” hit a three-run homer.

Winds manager Efren Wichman questioned Tabinas’ choice of pitches to Saranillo, who hit a 0-1 delivery.

``We're all saying splitter, and he threw a slider in the middle of the plate,'' Wichman said.

Tabinas’ second appearance of the season left him with an ERA of 27.00.

``One thing you want is for the manager to have confidence in you,'' the right-hander said. ``I'm sure he's thinking about what happened last spring. I'm trying to turn the page on that.''

Player of the Game:

Ninfa Aguila
(8 IP, 2 R, 3 BB, 11 Ks)

Pat's thought on the game: It's surprising to see this performance from Aguila. He should just work more with his command and he could really be our ace in the future. I've also seen the first homerun for our team and it was hit by "Nine Fingers", incidentally, he was hit by a pitch too in the early part of the game. Good thing he is not hurt.

[pat]

The Sheriff watches one of his homeruns in the right field stands.

QUEZON CITY — Magtanggol Sagal spent much of his two-week honeymoon in America this off-season finding fields where he could practice his pitching -- and he nearly broke his wife's foot one day while she was catching him.

``We were lucky she didn't have to go to the doctor,'' Sagal said.

All the extra work has made a difference, even if his wife, Trisha, wasn't all for it at the time. Sagal had a spectacular spring training and pitched 7 strong innings in his first start of the season as the Quezon City United beat the Davao Winds 6-3 Thursday night.

Ysmael “The Sheriff” Aragon homered twice and drove in five runs, after going 1-for-10 in his first three games.

Aragon has 6 RBIs now, exhibiting everything general manager Pat Garde liked about him when the United drafted the slugger first overall pick.

``It's early in the season,'' Aragon said. ``I've got to keep focused on the rest of the season. A season is so up and down.''

Jilenko Saranillo also homered and Edilberto Pecson had a double among his two hits for the United, who did not get a hit from their bottom four batters in the order.

``We didn't pressure Sagal the way we needed to,'' Winds manager Efren Wichman said. ``Magtanggol pitched a heck of a game against us. I know he's battled some arm trouble this spring, but it looked like his fastball was crisp and he changed speeds well.''

Sagal (1-0) escaped a jam in the first with runners on second and third and didn't have to work deep into the count against many batters.

Sagal made some tweaks to his delivery and mechanics in the offseason -- including eight workouts in Florida and California-- that he hopes will carry him to success in 2003. He gave up two runs and six hits with three strikeouts and one walk.

Jaicus Rondez got three outs for his second save.

Argaon homered to right in the first, chasing Davao starter Gorgonio Abaya (0-1).

Abaya, who allowed 15 earned runs in 24 innings during spring training, gave up six runs on eight hits in five-plus innings. He struck out four and walkedfive.

``My command wasn't all that horrible, but my stuff was kind of flat,'' Abaya said. ``When you pitch against these guys, that can be extremely dangerous.''

Player of the Game:
Ysmael Aragon

(2-for-3, 2 HR, 5 RBI)

Pat's thought on the game:
Amazing. The Sheriff played well. He is really the best player in the PBL.

[pat]

Aragon was in awe after hitting another go-ahead homerun.

LAPU-LAPU, CEBU -- Ysmael Aragon didn't get all of it, just enough.

Aragon’s solo-shot in the 11th inning lifted the Quezon City United to a wild 6-5 win over Lapu-Lapu on Friday night, ending the Red Dragons’ three-game winning streak.

The Sheriff led off with his third homer of the season off Jilenko Polanco (0-1) -- the ball bouncing out of right fielder Joey Cortes glove as he hit the Red Dragons Ballpark wall.

``It's not like I crushed it, but I hit it good enough for this park,'' Aragon said. ``They told me (Cortes) had it in his glove. We'll take it. It's great to see this team fight.''

United closer Jaicus Rondez (1-0), who entered with 2 saves and 0.00 ERA, pitched two innings for the win, giving up just one hit and striking out a batter.

Down 4-5 in the top of the 9th inning, Jilenko “Nine Fingers” Saranillo smashed a game-tying tater for his third round-tripper this season.

``This is a game we won't forget all year long,'' United manager Artemio Ojeda said, ``because there were so many heroes. Unbelievable.”

``I'm tired,'' Saranillo said. ``In a game like this that goes so long, you just hope nobody gets hurt and somebody wins eventually. We were very lucky.''

Neyo Gabilo had four hits and drove in one run for the Red Dragons. He reached base in all but one five plate appearances. Joshua Colarina started the scoring with a two-run shot off Quezon City starter Jaypee Bernardo.

``We had ample opportunities to win this game, and we did not do it,'' Lapu-Lapu manager Erwin Vadalean said. ``We couldn't help ourselves offensively, we couldn't score a run in the late innings.''

The Red Dragons went ahead 5-2 until the seventh inning when Quezon City scored one run in each of the next three innings, tying the game.

Bernardo, making his season debut, went four-plus innings, allowing seven hits and five runs.

Pahayahay, Lapu-Lapu starter, gave up eight hits and three runs in seven innings.

Player of the Game:
Ysmael Aragon

(1-for-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI)

Pat’s thought on the game:
It was a breathtaking game. The Sheriff comes through yet again. But there’s some bad news. He and my starting SS, Edilberto Pecson, will test free agency next season. It’s too early to offer them extension but their loyalty seems unfazed. I don’t know if I’ll trade them before the deadline, hang onto them and hope for compensation or field offers for them and get guys who’ll help us now and in the future. Probably, I would not sleep tonight. Dang.

[pat]

1. Mr. April: Jilenko Saranillo, 1B, Quezon City United.



What has he done? Oh, not much. Just hit .373 with seven homers and 18 RBIs in the first month of the Philippine Baseball League. He also drew 20 walks to post an OBP of .525.

2. Cy April: Nestor Eniquez, SP, Davao Winds.



Eniquez ran his April record to a perfect 5-0 with a 1.54 ERA and struck out 27 hitters in 41 innings. He made it very clear as he mowed his way through Bonifacio League hitters in April.

3. Philippine Cup (in April) winner: Ilagan Harpies.



With the lineup scoring at will – most HRs and Runs Scored – Harpies are looking to win the first ever Philippine Cup, its May and Ilagan has a five games and a half lead in the Rizal League. Surprised? Don’t be, as they finish first in almost all but four categories in pitching and batting combined in their league.

4. April's Child: James Laygo, CF, Legazpi Armada.



Opening the gates of baseball, Laygo led the forces of Armada with a .338 average in April and added 8 RBIs just for fun.

5. Who the heck? Ralph Calma, 1B, Ilagan Harpies.



A 10th round draft choice in the inaugural draft and he led the Majors with .394 average. He is not your typical first baseman who hits for power but he is really gifted making contact with the ball.

6. April management: Luzvimindo Formentera, Ilagan Harpies.



Formentera is doing a wonderful job of managing his team by garnering the best record in baseball. In the process he's stunning the Rizal League.

7. The injury bug: Joselito Espineda, SS, Legazpi Armada.



Legazpi fans would miss their starting shortstop after suffering an injury that will keep him out for three months. It really hurts them the most as they’ll probably lose some more ground from their already-rival, Ilagan Harpies.

8. April's magic moment: April 27, 2003, Don Millon goes 5-for-5.



It was a sensational day at the plate for him. He left them shell-shocked with 5 hits in 5 at-bats in an explosive display of hitting.

9. On the record:



"I’ve been busting my ass every game and we’re not getting anywhere. It’s a slow start for us. Hopefully, we could catch up soon." –- Antipolo Shootout catcher Philam Baronia after his team fell to 6-15 on April 30.

*I changed the format to monthly updates because I forgot to have a schedule that have interleague play. So, I'll just cruise the initial season until next year or until we get to 2007. I haven't decided yet but we'll see.

[pat]

*The Philippine Baseball League strike a one-year deal with big-time sports magazine Sports Illustrated to report each month what's happening around the league.*

It is hardly Sandross Intatano’s fault that he is not the most noticeable player in Philippine Baseball League. He goes out of his way to be noticed. A 25-year-old right-hander who pitches for the Lapu-Lapu Red Dragons, “Sandman” Intatano can throw a baseball accurately than anybody else in the Major League, and he stands just 6 ft. tall—"two inches of which," someone once noted, "is hair." Sandross taste in clothes is provocative. He showed up for work this spring looking like he’s going to a funeral—black ranch pants, black coat, black neckerchief, black cowboy boots and black Stetson. As far as Lapu-Lapu Manager Erwin Vadalean is concerned, "Intatano can wear a breechcloth and feathers if he wants"—so long as he mows down hitters the way he has thrown his first game of his career.

In Lapu-Lapu, Cebu, four weeks ago, “Sandman” shut out the Pulilan Steel Hawks 3-0, allowing the Hawks just three base hits. That kind of pitching should make Intatano the sensation of the young season.

Lapu-Lapu’s Manager Vadalean is not quite ready to claim the pennant—or a niche in the Hall of Fame for Intatano. "A pitcher isn't a great pitcher just because he wins his first game with a shutout," grunted Vadalean. "Personally, I think Intatano is going to be great. But let's not put the monkey on his back."

Now there are hitters around the Major League who insist that Sandross is even more sudden than Sandy—but nobody knows for sure, because Intatano refuses to have his fastball timed. "Koufax is one of my idols," he explains, "and I'd hate to find out that I'm faster than he is. Of course, I'd hate to find out I'm slower too." Because Sandman’s "hummer" breaks sharply—down instead of up—he has also been accused of throwing an illegal spitball. Not so, says Intatano: "I wouldn't know how. But if people want to think I'm throwing a spitter, that's fine with me. It'll keep them guessing up there, and that's what my job is all about."

[pat]

1. Mr. May: Jilenko Saranillo, 1B, Quezon City United. “Nine Fingers” took home the Bonifacio League Batter of the Month for the second consecutive month. He put up award-winning numbers including a .370 batting average and a .540 OBP. In 27 games, he piled up 34 hits, 10 homeruns, 29 RBIs and 26 runs of his own.



2. Cy May: Reomel Laput, SP, Quezon City United. He started the season with a 4-1 slate. Who cares? Laput bounced back higher. The 31-year-old had an incredible May, with five wins in five starts and a 2.47 ERA.



3. Philippine Cup (in May) winner: Ilagan Harpies. We can't say enough about this club, which set a season-high 7-game winning streak and a couple of 4-game winning spurt, to go 20-10 overall in the month. They're also currently winning without their starting second baseman Bryan Nolasco who’s out for 8 months. They might cool down a bit with the recent injury.



4. May's Child: Ninfa Inares, SS, Legazpi Armada. The 6-foot-2 wunderkind is helping to make the Armada infield one to fear. Inares hit .280 with 3 homeruns, 11 RBIs. That's good enough for our Rookie of the Month vote.



5. Who the heck? Laroya Romubio, 2B, Davao Winds. At 41 years of age, Romubio is enjoying a breakout month. He hit .356 in May with three homers, 13 RBIs to continue to cement himself as an everyday second baseman, despite his age.



6. May management: Artemio Ojeda, Quezon City United. After losing the first game of the month against the Lapu-Lapu Red Dragons, the United followed the month with a 7-game winning streak and stringing in a couple of 3-straight victories along the month as well. They are really bold to run away with the Bonifacio League crown, thanks to Ojeda.



7. The injury bug: Jaypee Soria, SP, Lapu-Lapu Red Dragons. Yes, the Harpies miss Nolasco but Soria was the Red Dragons best starter in April as he won three games in the opening month and he’ll be out for 13 months. Lapu-Lapu could have easily challenged Davao Winds for the wildcard race in Bonifacio League.



8. May's magic moment: Legazpi in Ilagan, May 17. Beating the Harpies certainly is a big deal so far for Legazpi, but doing it by leaning on starter Romel Vega’s stellar 8 innings, 2-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts. Without Vega, the game could have spelled differently as Legazpi Armada down Ilagan Harpies, 4 to 1.



9. On the record: "What a waste of sole." – Winds outfielder Pablo Dakila. Dakila finished May with 5 HR and 20 RBIs and a stolen base, but he fired off the quote of the month when he saw catcher Bayani Natera’s brand-new, personalized shoe.

[pat]

He stands with a permanent lopsided slouch, his left shoulder 1 in. higher than his right. He peers out at the world through one clear contact lens and one that is blue-tinted; he is simply too lazy to replace the other half of either pair. He is a Coca-Cola addict, but insists that he has kicked the habit: he drinks only ten 12-oz. bottles a day now instead of 15. He likes to read about Bob Ong, because he is so funny, and his hero is Freddie Aguilar, "because he doesn't give a damn about anything."

Every day, in every way, Reomel Laput, 31, works overtime to bolster his growing reputation as an antic oddball. But out of his restless energy he has also managed to build another kind of record entirely. When he is not cracking wise or acting up, Reomel Laput throws baseballs for the Quezon City United. In a summer when pitchers are dominating the big-league game, Reomel is, in fact, dominating the pitchers.

The United’s star right-hander has started 11 games, finished 3, struck out 76 batters and allowed just 24 earned runs. Last month, against the Pulilan Steel Hawks, he scattered ten hits, struck out twelve, and coasted to a 7-3 victory. In his last 10 starts, he managed to get the decision in 9 of them, all of which are Ws.

These figures may make Reomel baseball's man of the year. In Quezon City, they have made him the king of the hill—a hero whose strong right arm is pointing the United toward their first Bonifacio League pennant.

"I'm just a small-town boy," says Reomel honestly. "I'm awed by all this. Money impresses me. Big business impresses me. Important people impress me. I'm a mercenary. I admit it. I want to be a millionaire and help my family."

*Aragon signs 6-year extension*

QUEZON CITY -- Ysmael Aragon became the latest young player on the Quezon City United to get a long-term contract, signing a $1,012,560, six-year extension Sunday.

"It's been an exciting week for us," United general manager Pat Garde said. "To reach agreement with Ysmael means the left side of our infield is secure for the next several years. At the age of 29, Ysmael Aragon has developed into one of the most complete players in the Bonifacio League."

Aragon is hitting .237 with 8 homers and 33 RBI this season. He has drew 44 walks and posted a .388 OBP.

His current deal calls for a $137,990 salary this season. The extension calls for salaries of $168,760 for the next six years with an additional incentive of $6,100 if he is named the best hitter of the year.

"I have wanted to be a life-long United and this is the first step in that direction," Aragon said.

"It's a special feeling to be drafted by my preferred team," he said. "To know I'm going to be a United for the next six or seven years is going to be special."

"He's turned himself into a great player," said pitcher Reomel Laput, who earned the win Saturday. "It's remarkable to see the way he handles himself on and off the field.”

[pat]

1. Mr. June: Jilenko Saranillo, 1B, Quezon City United. Just when it seemed like Saranillo was going back to earth, the calendar changed, the temperature got a little hotter and Saranillo went on a power surge. Saranillo led the Majors with seven homers in June -- assuming the Major League lead in the category -- and drove in 26 runs and batted .366 as the United started gaining ground in Bonifacio League.



2. Cy June: Nukie Daulong, RHP, Antipolo Shooutout. Daulong, throwing harder than ever, put up a Major League-low 1.51 ERA in June while going 3-1 for the Shootout. Daulong’s most impressive stat for the month, though? Opposing batters hit just .189 against him plus he added thirteen strikeouts in 35 innings and eleven walks.



3. World Series (in June) winner: Quezon City United. They took the former nation's capital and the nation by storm in June, sitting poised at the front of the Bonifacio League by going 16-10. Half of the wins are on the road to boot.



4. June's Child: Malibok Bauzon, SP, Pulilan Steel Hawks. The 21-year-old caught fire in the sixth month, going perfect 4-0 in 5 starts. His 2.55 ERA in 35 innings adding 14 strikeouts seized his spot for the lowly Hawks.



5. Who the heck? Nestor Alzate, C, Lapu-Lapu Red Dragons. He's a 24-year-old starting catcher who is projected to break out in a couple of years but he’s already showcasing his skills. Now, for the Dragons he has hit .325 with one homerun and 12 RBIs in June.



6. June management: Artemio Ojeda, Quezon City. On June 4, the United were 31-20. Since then, Ojeda has the United playing hard and winning. They finished off June by taking 16 of their next 26 to increase their lead to 6 against the second-place Davao Winds in the Bonifacio League.



7. The injury bug: Mhelter Saludar, SS, Antipolo Shootout. The best fielder in the game is lost for a week because of nerve damage in his right elbow, and somehow it's good news because he didn't need Tommy John surgery. It's a small blow to a reeling Shootout team.



8. June's magic moment: June 23, Ballpark of Quezon City. United third baseman Ysmael Aragon hit for the cycle. First time ever in Philippine Baseball League history. He tripled in the 1st, singled in the 3rd, doubled in the 5th and hit a solo-shot in the 7th inning which knock off Pulilan Steel Hawks 5-1.The drama wasn't lost on Aragon, who said, "Other than seeing my kids born, this is the best."



9. On the record: "It was my first choice to play here. I made a lot of concessions to stay here, and I'll make it very clear -- if I have to go somewhere else, a lot of things are going to have to be changed or you're going to have an unhappy player." -- A seemingly already-unhappy player, Davao Winds’ outfielder Ronman Cuyos, when asked about trade rumors that included his name.

[Antonin]

Great idea, Pat!

Maybe you could create a template for your league and share it?

My sister-in-law lives in Legazpi, so I'll be watching that team closely.

[pat]

Originally Posted by Antonin

Great idea, Pat!

Maybe you could create a template for your league and share it?

My sister-in-law lives in Legazpi, so I'll be watching that team closely.

I'll see what I can do.

I randomize the cities so that it could be spread throughout the Philippines.

[pat]

Jilenko Saranillo was 40 miles off the coast of Manila last summer, enjoying a day off from baseball with his brother and friends.

From sunrise to sunset, the group tested its skills at deep-sea fishing, with no land in sight. Nobody cared who caught the biggest fish. There was no prize for the most fish.

And for a day during the baseball season, Saranillo was no different than anybody else.

It's the way he would like it to be every day.

But it isn't.

Not when Saranillo puts on a uniform and takes the field for the Quezon City United It takes a special athlete to play professional sports, and Saranillo--he won his third Bonifacio League batting of the month title with--is more special than most.

With special abilities comes the curse of great expectations.

It afflicts the most talented of any business, the professional who stands out among his peers and finds that being the best in his profession is not good enough to satisfy himself, much less others.

Players like Saranillo can't ignore the expectations. They hear about it from management, fans, family and friends, and they read about it.
They are either heroes or bums.

"You have to have tough skin to play this game," Quezon City United manager Artemio Ojeda said. "In today's society, people love to see heroes fall."

"After a game, I have to get ice and treatment, and then I'll talk to anybody, but it's going to take some time before I come out," Saranillo said. "When Ysmael (Aragon) is finished I would see him waiting in front of his locker after every game, and wondered how he could do that every day. He'd talk and talk, every day. That's no knock. I just don't always have that much to say.

"I don't want people to think I'm whining or want sympathy," he said. "I have no complaints. I have a great life. Baseball has provided me a chance to make a living that's embarrassing.

What makes Saranillo uncomfortable is when he is singled out.

"I'm happy being part of a team, not above the team," Saranillo said. "I want to be perceived or talked about in the same breath as anybody else on the club.

"I realize I'm a piece, but I'm just one piece that needs to be healthy. It's not any singular person who makes a team a winner. I may play a different game, but my objective is no different than anybody else's. We're all here to do the same things. We're here to win."

But instead of celebrating a big three months, Saranillo is frustrated by a season that was anything but a time to celebrate.

"If I could start over in this game," he said, "I'd give back all of it. If I could be part of a championship team. That's the only thing I would change. I think we are a championship team though.”

[pat]

I think it's a balanced first round. 4 batters. 4 pitchers. 4 came from the UAAP and the other 4 came from NCAA.

First Round

#1. Antipolo Shootout: Bonie “Easy” Cabilete, LHP, Jose Rizal University (NCAA) (3/3/6)

Cabilete has gone from pitching in the 86-88 mph range to 89-90 consistently, hitting at least 90 in eight straight outings and maintaining his velocity deep into games. Pitching for one of the NCAA’s top teams, he went 4-4, 2.82 ERA with 11 walks and 59 strikeouts in 70 innings. He's flashed an average slider and changeup. At times he gets around his breaking ball a bit, when he drops his elbow, and doesn't command it.

#2. Pulilan Steel Hawks: Arvin Cezar, CF, Ateneo de Manila University (UAAP) (6/10/10/10/6)

Cezar’s package of five tools is as attractive as any in the draft. His most obvious tool is his top-of-the-line speed. He has the bat speed and hand-eye coordination to hit for power and average. Defensively, he needs to work on his range and his arm is just average. He will need to make some offensive adjustments as a pro, as his swing is choppier than fluid, but scouts believe he'll be able to do so.

#3. Legazpi Armada: Eudaldo Rosit, 3b, Adamson University (UAAP) (8/4/10/2/7)

Rosit has a mature approach. He trusts his quick hands and allows balls to get deep in the zone, giving him excellent loft power. He has natural rhythm to his swing and excellent hand-eye and body coordination. He hasn't always stayed patient this year while being been pitched around. He'll have to move across the diamond to first, or take his plus arm strength to a corner outfield spot, but he has the raw power to make the move work.

#4. Lapu-Lapu Red Dragons: Dwien Malanog, 1B/3B, Jose Rizal University (NCAA) (5/10/6/9/4)

Malanog should hit for average and power, and he's patient enough to take walks when he's pitched around. The JRU Bombers thought about moving him to first base last fall because he's raw at the hot corner, but he has stayed at third and should be a solid defender in time. He moves well, has good hands and a strong, accurate arm. He just needs more repetitions, which will come when he gives up football, in order to improve his reads and instincts.

#5. Davao Winds: Obiniana Wingo, OF, University of the East (UAAP) (7/5/10/7/1)

Though scouts say he has been a little anxious this spring, Wingo still has batted .270 with 4 homers and is one of the safest bets to hit among the draft's prospects. He's a sound, strong right-handed hitter whose power still shows when he uses wood in batting practice. Wingo has arm strength and athleticism, but he's better as a right fielder.

#6. Bacoor Bluegills: Carlo Damasco, RHP, Far Eastern University (UAAP) (4/9/5)

Scouts considered Damasco the safest pick among the would-be-aces. He has three plus pitches: a 89-90 mph fastball that scrapes 92, a true 12-6 curveball, and a splitter that he uses as a changeup. The run on his fastball is inconsistent and the pitch flattens out at times, but his curveball is a big-time strikeout pitch and his splitter keeps batters off balance. Strong and durable, he has been injury-free and has the most resilient arm.

#7. Quezon City United: Pablo Alfaro, LHP, Letran Knights (NCAA) (6/1/8)

Alfaro hasn't been at 100 percent this season. He had arthroscopic surgery last fall to clean out inflamed tissue in his elbow. His fastball registers 90-92 mph, and his 6-foot, 200-pound frame allows him to drive the ball down in the zone and make it that much more difficult to hit. His slider, the best breaking pitch in the draft, hits 87 mph. He also has a spike curveball and a changeup but hasn't needed them very often in college.

#8. Ilagan Harpies: Dimacali Moga, RHP, Philippine Christian University (NCAA) (7/4/4)

His fastball was so dominant against weak competition in NCAA this spring that he struck out 68 in his first 65 innings, while allowing just 21 runs. Moga’s lean, athletic build with room to fill out and get stronger. His fastball generally sits in the 93-95 mph range, with natural, hard running action and occasional bore. Moga’s hammer screwball has solid rotation with three-quarter break and excellent depth for his arm slot. He projects as a No. 2 or 3 starter.

The other picks made by Quezon City:
Round 2: C Don Gernale (5/6/3/3/1)
Round 3: SS Amador Trinidad (3/3/2/1/3)
Round 4: MR Chad Ford (3/5/5)
Round 5: SS Gorgonio Suaco (4/9/3/8/4)

* All scouting was made by SISA.

Pat's thought on their picks:

I think Pablo Alfaro is a steal. My head scout has rated him as average in movement but that will do. He's potentially our ace in the future.

The 3 positional players I picked in the succeeding rounds were defensive specialist in two of the hardest positions. Suaco can play all the infield spot.

I know "foreigners" or Filipino-Americans -- Filipino-Canadian in Chad Ford's case -- isn't allowed to play in the Majors. I'm hoping it could change next season or the following years. Let them give the chance to players who wants to play.

[pat]

Ralph Calma deposits an Arnel Jamias offering into the Ballpark of Quezon City bleachers in the tenth inning, capping the RL’s comeback Tuesday.

QUEZON CITY -- The Rizal League didn't want to surrender home-field advantage in the Philippine Cup.

Trailing 2-1 going into the ninth inning of the 1st Philippine Baseball League All-Star Game, the RL mounted a consistent rally that overtaken the Bonifacio League.

BL All-Stars didn’t budge either, scoring the game tying run in the bottom of the ninth.

Then the All-Star festivities were capped by a Ralph Calma solo shot in the top of the tenth which gave the Rizal League the home-field advantage during the Philippine Cup Championship Series.

It gave the Filipinos a thrilling 4-3 comeback victory Tuesday night before 48, 198 the largest crowd in the history of Ballpark of Quezon City.

Pat's thought on the All-Star Game:

It was a great game. Brought a lot of people in the park. Brought a lot of revenues to us. We have four All-Star in the lineup and three more in the staff. They did well. Too bad our league lost. Maybe because it's the first time we've faced the other league's players. Hopefully, next year, there will be an interleague.