Agbayani captures MVP title at tourney
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
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Hawai'i's Benny Agbayani capped his season in Japan by being named MVP of the Konami Cup over the weekend.
The former Saint Louis and Hawai'i Pacific star batted 4 for 12 with two homers and nine RBIs in four games to help his Chiba Lotte Marines win the inaugural tournament that pitted teams of four Asian professional leagues at Tokyo Dome. The Marines were the Japanese champions.
"I was very surprised," Agbayani said in a telephone interview. "We were representing Japan and we really didn't want to disappoint our fans."
Agbayani's two-run double in the bottom of the third snapped a 1-1 deadlock in a 5-3 win in the title game today against the Korean champion Samsung Lions.
For being MVP, Agbayani's prize was a Volkswagen Beetle, which he said he will leave in Japan to use next season.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.