Expansion Pilgrims building for the future
Antipolo's birth pains bear sixth place finish
It was a tough season for the expansion Antipolo Pilgrims after biting the dust more often than not in BP Series 3. (Photo - Joseph Ventura)
It has been a difficult campaign for the Antipolo Pilgrims in Baseball Philippines Series 3 as the expansion club experienced birth pains after finishing the regular season with three wins against eight defeats. It was far cry from the Antipolo City ACG club which won the city's first major championship of sorts in the 2003 Titans League.
Despite the struggles, the team of manager Bobby Gantong still advanced to the league's first round playoff against the defending Series titlist Cebu Dolphins, admitting that:
"Talagang mahina kami kumpara sa mga ibang teams dahil na din sa expansion team kami," Gantong said prior to a game against the Manila Sharks. "Pero preparation na ito sa amin para magimprove pa (next season)."
Among the key players for the Pilgrims are Saxon Omandac, formerly from the Cebu Dolphins, who has been playing dual roles as both a pitcher and outfielder. Other contributors include 15-year old sensation Carlo Conge, Arvin Cirunay, and Saxon's elder brother, Hashim, who joins Antipolo after a stint with Forward Taguig in 2007.
Two of their prime recruits are veteran national team infielder Ruben “Jot” Angeles, who spent some time for Series 1 runner-up Negros Roosters and the Series 2 champion Dolphins, along with Fernando Badrina, who sported a 3-0 win-loss record and 3.26 earned run average before absorbing defeat in his worst outing of the season in the team's playoff loss to Cebu.
The Pilgrims also added some players from the University Athletics Association of the Philppines collegiate ranks such as University of Santo Tomas’ Michael Zapanta, who at times can play a utility role in the infield or on the mound, University of the Philippines’ Mark Robert Seno, who had the most stolen bases during the recent 70th season, and the National University duo of catcher Richard Leonor and first baseman Gino Mitra.
The Pilgrims made waves early in Series 3, posting two quick victories against the Dumaguete Uni-Bikers and the Batangas Bulls with Badrina and Angeles as one of the vital cogs in those two games.
“Maganda napakita namin sa unang mga panalo ng team,” said Gantong. “May factor din na yung ibang team ay kulang ang lineup pero siguro nakatulong din sa team para tumaas ang kumpiyansa nila.”
However, Antipolo lost seven of its next eight games; it was still enough for them to gain a playoff match against Cebu after edging out the Makati Mariners in the race for the sixth spot in the postseason.
“Kahit ganito record namin kahit papaano masaya na rin dahil nakaabot din kami sa playoffs,” quirked Gantong.
One of the surprise contributors for the Pilgrims has been Conge. The high-school phenom from Antipolo National High has posted a batting average of .421 with eight runs scored in the regular season while batting primarily from the leadoff spot.
“Malaki ang potential niya,” Gantong said of Conge, who is in his fourth year of education and should possibly be one of the top recruits in the collegiate ranks next season. “Binigyan namin siya ng opportunity dito sa Baseball Philippines para magkaroon din siya ng experience sa mga ganitong level.”
While Antipolo has to endure the tough feeling of losing for the meantime, Gantong mentioned that the team will prepare even better for Series 4 while looking to get some more reinforcements in order to field a more competitive squad.
“Plano namin sa susunod na (season) ay nakapagtrain pa kami ng mabuti,” he explained. “Balak din namin kumuha ng mga players para naman makatulong sila sa amin, lalo na sa pitching.”