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By Robert Balajadia
With their backs against the wall, the IT&E Braves forced a Game 5 while swinging for their playoff lives against the AM Insurance Orioles by winning Game 4 with a score 7-6 after both teams traded the lead through out the game during a special Father’s Day edition of the BBL Playoffs.
Braves’ Rico Castro brought his big game swing into Game 4 changing the course of the game after every at bat. Castro’s first trip to the plate resulted in a two-run home run to put the Braves up 2-1 after giving up the lead in the top of the first inning.
“I called that shot on Rico’s home run,” said Braves’ bat boy Joshua “Slush” Manglona. “I kept saying ‘here comes the boom’,” giving nod to Castro’s entrance song ‘Here Comes the Boom’ by Nelly.
But Castro’s biggest hit undoubtably came when the Braves were tied in the bottom of the 6th inning at five runs. With the bases jacked, Castro landed a shot to his favorite corner of the field off pitcher John Pangelinan that brought in two runs to go up 7-5. Castro was caught trying to take second base though the slugger smiled and stopped before trying to tag the bag as Orioles’ second baseman Jathan Muna Barnes got the out to end the inning.
“It feels great. I was fortunate enough to get a good pitch on both at bats. We want to step up and not make it easy for the [Orioles] so we prepared and just used things we can control. They’re a great team and we just needed to limit their runs and we just came in with timely hits,” said Castro on changing the score at his hand.
The Orioles had a chance to take the lead in the top of the 9th inning but a double-play ended the game forcing the final game of the series which will be played out on Thursday.
Orioles’ JR Hattig made the most of his plate appearances after bringing in the teams first run. Hattig went to work in the fourth inning by getting a 2RBI double with two outs away. The Orioles went up 5-3 at that point appearing to once again steal momentum of the game.
The Braves were in danger of leaving the 7th inning scoreless with BJ Balajadia at bat with two runners on base and two outs away. Balajadia took a swing and missed which would have ended the inning, but a pass ball allowed Balajadia to sprint quickly to first base to load the bases.
Pangelinan threw a wild pitch with Braves’ Jim Reyes at bat which allowed teammate JT Tuquero to sprint home the game-tying run. Reyes was eventually walked which loaded the bases for Castro to put his final stamp on the game.
The 7th inning was highlighted by defensive plays of third baseman Alan Sarmiento who made a leaping grab over his head during Orioles’ Matt Muna’s at bat and had the presence of mind to fire off a throw to first base where Castro was waiting to catch Hattig before he could make it back to the bag.
The Orioles went through two pitchers in starting pitcher Mateo Mantanane and Pangelinan before letting R-Jay Joe take over in the 8th inning. Joe didn’t allow any more runs, but the Braves’ defense held strong to capture the win.
Braves’ Paul Lujan came in for starting pitcher Glenn Palomo after Hattig put the Orioles up 5-3 in the fourth inning. Lujan allowed just one run in the 8th inning from Oriole’s Calvert Alokoa.
Lujan gets the win for the Braves while Pangelinan gets the loss for the Orioles.
With their championship pedigree being well tested Castro explained that the Braves’ mindset will not change.
“We are approaching Game 5 like it’s our last game like today. We’re going to come out strong with our pitching and defense. If we’re close at the end of the game then that’s all we could ask for. If we have a chance to win the game at the end then that’s more than enough for us. Hopefully luck is on our side.”
Winning on Fathers Day also added a something feeling for Castro who gave a shootout to his daughter Leah Marie Castro who will be representing Guam on the National Volleyball team.
Will the Orioles end the dynasty or are the five-time champions going to make the loudest statement any team on Guam has ever made? Only Game 5 between the two will decide. Stay tuned for the fireworks.


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GPS Sports Calendar
May 2022
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for May
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #4
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
3rd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL QUARTERFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
5th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
6th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
7th
GPD HOT PURSUIT 5K
MARIANAS OPEN
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for May
9th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #5
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER All-Star Meeting
IIAAG GIRLS BEACH VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
Events for May
12th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL ALL-ISLAND MEETING
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
12th
Events for May
14th
14th JUDICA CRABAO 5K
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
Events for May
16th
ISA TRACK & FIELD ALL-ISLAND MEET
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE All-Star Meeting
Events for May
17th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
18th
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Events for May
19th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
20th
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL All-Star Meeting
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
21st
Pre-Memorial Day 13-Miler
GETTING GUAM HEALTHY 5K BUBBLE RUN/HEALTH FAIR
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD All-ISLAND MEET
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE FINALS
ALPHA WARRIOR ESPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
2022 Guam Track & Field National Championships
Events for May
23rd
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
24th
Events for May
26th
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
27th
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Events for May
29th
Events for May
30th

Volleyball
VOLLEYBALL ALL-STAR PLAYERS DRAFTED

Volleyball
TITANS COMPLETE PERFECT 2022 SEASON

Volleyball
ROSARIO: BOYS VOLLEYBALL MVP

Baseball
DODGERS HAND TRITONS FIRST LOSS

Running/Track
FBLG, BMS CONQUER MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD ALL-ISLAND
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COMING SOON …
- YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE KICKOFF June 4
- Todd Gurley Football Camp on Andersen
- GSPN Boys Volleyball All-Star Game
- Pacific Mini-Games in Saipan