Fate A summoned all its strength and dug into its bag of tricks, but there was no way the all-Filipina team could beat a formidable foe like Steel, last season’s champions.
Ranged against their younger and nimbler local rivals, the Filipinas were the underdog, while Steel simply hit hard and kept its defenses airtight to trounce Fate, 14-3, at Tin Kwong Field on June 19.
Fate batted first being the away team. But Steel’s tight defense foiled the Filipinas’ bid to step on the bases.
First batter Zenny Badajos was caught on a flyball by pitcher Yeung Li-kwan, while Myra Japitana was put out on first base. Don Gaborno was also caught on a flyball by right-fielder Lee Sue-yee.
Steel then took over the batting plate with first batter Lam Pui Kwan slamming a ball that took him safely to first base.
A throwing error of shortstop Ma. Eva Mendez to first baseman Japitana took Kwan to third base on a playball. Kwan later ran to home base when Yeung Man-wai struck an outfield ball.
The Filipinas put up a tight defense to give the locals just one home in the first inning.
Fate scored one run in the second inning via Mendez while holding Steel scoreless at its turn to bat. That evened score 1-1 in the second inning.
In the third inning, Fate struggled but failed to earn a score.
That signaled a scoring party for Steel. Kwong Yuen-yi struck a short outfield ball for a safe run to first base. Then he ran to third base when Yeung Man-wai blasted a long ball and ran up to second base.
The two base runners sailed home unhampered when Lo Wing-yan smashed another outfield ball.
Steel then piled on more home runs via Lo Wing-yan, Lee Sue-yee, Sung Ka-yan, Yan Wai-yan, Lam Pui-kwan, Kwong, Yeung and, again, Lo. The inning ended at 11-1.
Fate then took its last chance to score in the fourth inning with Lyka Algonez hitting the ball and running safe to first base. She then dashed to third base when Romela Osabel struck the ball to the outfield and was safe until second base.
Fast balls of local pitcher Yeung Li-kwan caught Cherry Octaviano and Jessie Duque standing out.
Eunice Locop gave base runners Algonez and Osabel a chance to reach home base safely when she hammered an outfield ball. Locop then ran safely to second base, but was stuck on the plate when Badajos was caught on a flyball by shortstop Yam Wai-yan.
When Steel took over the batting plate, Fate changed its pitcher from Badajos to Gaborno, but luck lingered with the local sluggers. They added three more runs courtesy of Sung Ka-yan, Yam Wai-yan and Lam to end the game, 14-3.
Fate manager Law Wai-ho greeted the team after the game, giving them his full support. “Nice game, guys!” he said.
