Ferdinand Liguayan Grand Slam Powers Philippines Past Palestine 12-0 at Asian Games

Ferdinand Liguayan Jr. drove in six runs and launched a sixth-inning grand slam as the Philippines opened the 2026 Asian Games men’s baseball tournament with a 12-0, seven-inning victory over Palestine on Monday in Toyohashi, Japan. Romeo Jasmin Jr. supplied six scoreless innings on the mound, giving the Philippines a commanding start in Group A before a potentially decisive meeting with China on Tuesday.

The result was emphatic, but it took time for the Philippine lineup to turn an early advantage into a rout. Four first-inning runs established control before Palestine held the Philippines scoreless from the second through the fifth. Liguayan then broke the game open in the sixth.

Liguayan turns a close middle stretch into a rout

Palestine reliever Nicholas Barksdale entered in the sixth and issued consecutive walks, creating the opportunity Liguayan had been waiting for. The 33-year-old designated hitter drove a pitch over the center-field fence for a grand slam, the centerpiece of a five-run inning that pushed the lead to 9-0.

Liguayan finished 3-for-5 with six RBIs. The Philippines collected 14 hits as a team, and Mark Beronilla delivered another major blow in the seventh with a three-run home run that extended the margin to 12 and brought the tournament’s run rule into play.

Steven Manaig also went 3-for-5, while John Leonel Matanguihan collected three hits. The Philippines did most of its damage in two bursts: four runs in the opening inning and eight more across the sixth and seventh.

Romeo Jasmin Jr. controls Palestine

The offensive explosion was backed by an efficient start from Jasmin. The right-hander held Palestine scoreless for six innings, allowing only two hits and striking out seven. He carried a no-hit bid through five innings before Hasan Ammar reached on a bunt single in the sixth.

Amiel De Guzman handled the seventh and added another strikeout, completing the shutout and ending the game after seven innings.

Palestine makes history despite opening loss

For Palestine, the scoreline came in a historic first appearance in the Asian Games men’s baseball tournament. The national program has developed rapidly in recent years, reaching the West Asia Baseball Cup final in 2023 before winning the tournament in 2025 and finishing fifth at the 2025 Asian Baseball Championship.

Monday’s game therefore represented another step onto a larger international stage, even as the Philippines’ experience and pitching proved decisive.

Philippines-China game carries early Super Round stakes

The Philippines now turns immediately to China on Tuesday at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Baseball Stadium. With only the top two teams from Group A advancing to the Super Round, another victory would put the Philippines in a strong position before its final opening-round game against host Japan on Wednesday.

Palestine faces Japan on Tuesday and China on Wednesday. Japan, China, the Philippines and Palestine make up Group A, while South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Thailand compete in Group B.

For the Philippines, the opening message was clear: Jasmin controlled the game from the mound, and once Liguayan found his pitch, a four-run lead became a 12-0 statement.