The Philippines secured another gold medal after outlasting host Thailand, 5–3, in the final of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games at the Queen Sirikit Baseball Stadium in Pathum Thani. The victory marked the country’s third consecutive SEA Games gold in baseball and its fourth overall in five editions where the sport has been played. It also extended a long-running rivalry with Thailand, whom the Filipinos have repeatedly denied the top podium spot in recent tournaments.
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Redemption and Resilience on the Big Stage
The gold-medal win carried added meaning for the Philippine camp, particularly for assistant coach Joseph Orillana, who experienced heartbreak as a player during the 2007 SEA Games when Thailand claimed gold on home soil.
“‘Yung pagkatalo namin sa kanila nu’ng 2007 mabigat,” Orillana recalled. “Kaya sabi ko, wag na wag tayong didikit dito kasi anything can happen.”
This time, the Filipinos ensured there would be no painful repeat. Unlike their earlier 8–7 win against Thailand in the tournament, the championship game was settled without extra innings, thanks to disciplined pitching and timely offense.
Strong Pitching, Timely Hits Seal Gold
Veteran pitcher Romeo Jasmin delivered a steady performance, shutting out Thailand in the first five innings and allowing just one hit during that stretch. He received early support in the opening inning when catcher Mark Steven Manaig’s single drove in Jennard Pareja, who reached base despite playing through a groin injury.
The Philippines gradually built its lead, making it 3–0 in the third inning before extending the advantage to 4–0 in the fourth. Thailand mounted a challenge with two runs in the sixth, but the Filipinos responded with an insurance run in the seventh to regain control.
When the hosts threatened again in the ninth, head coach Orlando Binarao turned to 23-year-old Amiel de Guzman, who calmly closed the door by recording the final three outs and preserving the 5–3 win.
The gold capped a dominant tournament run for the Philippines, which swept all its opponents in the preliminary round, including wins over Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Lao PDR.
Beyond medals, the triumph reinforces the Philippines’ growing stature in regional baseball and offers everyday Filipinos a source of pride, inspiration, and proof that sustained investment and teamwork can elevate local sports onto the international stage.
