|
|
The greatest baseball show in the nation. Now playing.
Youthful Promise Fuels Opening Day
On Opening Day of the 2006 Titans League at Smart Field in Sto. Nino, Marikina, the Mets overcame an early 7-0 deficit and a pair of homeruns by Jhoel Palanog, then held on to defeat the more experienced Alabang Athletics, 12-11. 
Smart Field in Sto. Nino will once again provide drama on the diamond.
Matt Laurel and Bok Bernardo had two hits apiece to pace the Mets, while Gian Jimenez delivered some clutch pitching in relief of starter Paolo Mallari to hold back a furious Athletics rally. In the trailer of Wednesday's opening twin bill, the Mets looked even sharper, but couldn't plate some runs against the defending champion Pera Padala Air Force, falling 5-0. Mark Ramirez and SEAGames Gold Medalist Ernesto Binarao combined on a shutout and Rommel Maniago's three-run blast in the second inning would be enough to give the heavily favored Air Force their first win of the season on the heels of TLB.05's triumphant campaign. The league's five other teams open their season this weekend.
|
TLB.06 TEAM CAPSULES
Alabang Athletics
RP Hall of Famer Rudy Lugay makes his Titans League coaching debut. His Athletics carry a talented mix of youth and experience that should keep them in every game.Players to watch: Edsel Atienza, Larry Icban, Bambol Servo, Leslie Suntay. Alabang-Makati Olympians
Neither team finished higher than fourth in its first three seasons. The merger should only help the Olympians' cause.Players to watch: Bacchus Ledesma, Donnelly Edmonds, Jeff Rodgriguez. Korea Titans
They may not be on the same level as their World Baseball Classic counterparts, but our friendly neighbors are back with some All-Filipino caliber talent to boot.Players to watch: Erik Francisco, John Kim, Jonas Ponce, Tommy Song. Loyola Heights-Ateneo Blue Eagles
They skipped TLB.05, won the 2005 Titans Series, then came within a game of making the '06 UAAP Baseball Championship Series. This is a team that reached the play-offs in each of the first two Titans League seasons and should no doubt continue to make noise in TLB.06.Players to watch: Stefano Baltao, Nico David, Paolo Padla, Melvin Villegas. Manila Mets
Arsenic Laurel fields a crop of the nation's high school prospects, but a lack of experience at the adult level might keep this team from making any serious challenge.Players to watch: Joboy De Mesa, Jay Laurel, Matt Laurel, Paolo Mallari. Marikina-Calumpang Stars
This season's mystique. The Stars are the league's other high school-laden team. Isidro Fong hopes his prospects are up to the task.Marikina-Marist Golden Bears
Last season's Republic Division champions have been an enigma since becoming a charter member of the league in TLB.03. Reigning league MVP Arjay Santos would be hard-pressed to take the Bears over the top. Players to watch: Arvin Cirunay, Eric Gesmundo, Sky Rosales, Arjay Santos. Pera Padala Air Force
Barring injuries and mental lapses, the Air Force is the favorite to repeat as National Division champions as the league's top-ranked team.Players to watch: Ruben Angeles, Ernesto Binarao, Ferdinand Recto, Virgilio Roxas. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Copyright © 2006. Titans Baseball Club. All Rights Reserved. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
There is an adage in some baseball circles across the country that local talent has remained stale for at least a generation now. As far as the young Manila Mets are concerned, such people are under a false pretense.