TWO GOLDEN Sox pitchers were part of the Philippine national baseball team that took home its third-straight crown in the 2018 Baseball Federation of Asia (BFA) East Asia Cup held in Hong Kong last June 24 to 28.
Fresh graduate Lesmar Ventura and incoming fourth year Ron Christian de la Cruz played crucial roles in the pitching rotation of the 23-man national squad despite being two of the youngest players in the team.
Both players added depth to a solid rotation composed of veteran pitchers such as former UST assistant coach Jon Jon Robles, Adamson University assistant coach Romeo Jasmin, De La Salle University ace Kiko Gesmundo and UAAP Season 80 Most Valuable Player Jerome Yenson.
Ventura only gave up one run in the RP team’s 12-1 win against Singapore while de la Cruz pitched in the first two innings of its 5-2 victory against Indonesia and allowed only a single run.
“I just prepared myself because coaches told us that we should always be ready. [Sa game namin against Singapore], maganda ‘yong performance ng starter at reliever pitcher so dapat ako rin,” he said in an online interview with the Varsitarian.
Both Ventura and de la Cruz said playing alongside their former assistant coach was a big boost to their skillset, since Robles gave tips on different pitching styles applicable on different circumstances.
As budding pitchers, the two agreed that being part of the Philippine baseball team was one of the highlights of their young careers since they were able to match up with international squads like Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and Hong Kong in the tournament.
Aside from added skills, Ventura and de la Cruz said the national team experience also taught them perseverance and hardwork, especially against Thailand when the team came back from an early deficit and snatched a 10-6 win.
The Philippines was down 0-5 through the first five frames before connecting the sixth and seven innings with 10 runs to turn the tables.
Ventura was part of the national team since 2015 while de la Cruz joined in 2017.
New leader
As he heads back to the Golden Sox’s lair equipped with better skillset, de la Cruz hopes to utilize his national team exposure in hopes of bringing a UST team composed of 10 rookies to the championship this upcoming season.
UST finished fourth last Season 80.
“Sa national team kasi, rookie ako roon so ‘yong mga matanda sa akin, ang sabi ‘mag-tiyaga ka lang mag-training, palakasin mo katawan mo, magiging magaling na player ka.’ Gagawin ko ‘yong ginagawa sa akin doon sa mga rookies namin sa UST,” de la Cruz shared.
Golden Sox head coach Jeffrey Santiago said de la Cruz as a veteran will be a big factor in the team’s success next season.
“Aside from veteran na siya, malaking bagay siya para mag-deliver for the team kasi ang team natin mostly rookies. Malaking bagay siya sa pitching at hitting. Kung hindi man siya pupukol, nasa outfield siya,” Santiago said.
