LBP: KATAYAMA AND ITAKURA TO OUTHIT EACH OTHER IN LIGA BASEBALL PHILIPPINES

BASEBALL is undoubtedly the leading pastime in Japan.

Her national team is world caliber and Asian powerhouse since last century where the Philippines use to be in the continent's (Asia) top 4 along with South Korea and Chinese Taipeh.

But time flies as fast as the speed of a homerun hit , the Japs, Sokors and Taiwanese reached the status as baseball powers in the world stage while the Filipinos left just reigning in regional kingdom of the Southeast Asia.

Lording only the SEAGames baseball, new leaders of the sport in the Philippines will never let it be just that way.

They're now moving heaven and earth to regain our glory in baseball to put it once again in the Asian map of competition in the near future.

The new Liga Baseball Philippines was formed by respective businessmen/ sportsmen in the country led by LBP Chairman Amando N. Zamora ,President Jose Antonio V. Munoz and Executive Director Rodolfo N.Tingzon, Jr.with Directors Joaquin C.Loyzaga, Rene Andrei Q. Saguisag, Jude H.Turcuato, Felipe Antonio B.Remollo, Jose Emmanuel M. Eala, Josedinno M. Mariano, Raymond B. Tolentino, Michael M. Ziakcita and Athony R.Suntay and Executive Administrator Mariano N. Arroyo and Julie Anne Yabes is Corporate Secretary at the helm.

" Eight teams will slug it out in the inaugural LBP 'Tingzon Cup' (titled in honor of the legendary baseball leader Rodolfo Tingzon ,Sr.) who will showcase high level competition in the first commercial baseball league", Zamora said during the LBP executive meeting at Amigo's in BGC, Taguig City.

" All the teams participating can be a contender for historic LBP maiden season.Rivalry in the LBP looms as baseball kibitzers and enthusiasts will surely follow their team from tri- media to socmed, by that time , baseball fans are back at the venue, the historic Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium in Malate, Manila", optimistic Munoz said.

Tingzon expressed the importance of rivalry in the LBP like this collegiate teams from the UAAP and the possible battlefied everytime the two teams owned by 2 Japanese nationals based in the Philippines will be war at the diamond.

They're here to help baseball back on its feet with consent from baseball leaders here and the players in giving opportunities to play in Japan League while they learn and compensate for their livelihood.

" The proud Japanese will surely outhit each other evrytime they meet and of course the collegiate arch rivalries. Let's bring it on! ," expressed Tingzon.

The KBA Stars is owned by national baseball consultant Keiji Katayama while the IPPC Hawks is runned by longtime Philippine baseball supporter Kunifumi Itakura. Other teams who are also title contenders are NU Bulldogs, UST Growling Tigers,Samurai u-18, PK Holdings Thunders, Ateneo Blue Eagles and Manila.

The LBP Tingzon Cup is sanctioned by PABA headed by President Loyzaga will kickoff on May 26, 2024 at the RMBS.