RP Li’l Leaguers rip Kiwis on nine-run blitz

When practically everybody in the crowd was counting it out, the Philippine team rallied to beat New Zealand, 9-6, in a battle of also-rans yesterday in the Pacific Regional division of the Asia-Pacific Little League championships at the Rizal ballpark.

The Filipinos, out of the running just like the New Zealanders, exploded with nine runs in the third inning after falling behind by 0-6 in a heroic effort that gave host nation its first win after two straight defeats in the five-team division.

Gico Almendras took over from the erratic Aldo Panlilio in the third inning and eventually clinched the win, blanking the Kiwis in the last four innings in a splendid one-hit relief.

Later in the day, defending World Series titlist Japan proved too strong, too talented for South Korea, scoring a 9-1 rout for its second consecutive win in the Asia Regional division.

Katov Yousuke struck out 13 batters in a two-hit, no-relief job as the Japanese displayed overpowering form against a Korean team it is expected to meet in the finals later this week.

Yun Sung Cho saved the Koreans from going scoreless when he scored in the fifth inning following a walk, a double and a wild pitch.

So erratic was starter Panlilio he issued 12 straight balls that resulted in three unearned runs for the New Zealanders right in the first inning.

His misery would continue in the next inning where he surrendered three more runs on two hits as New Zealand went to town, 6-0, and looked headed for victory.

They didn’t as the Filipinos regrouped and came up with the biggest, most productive inning in the tournament — a nine-run explosion on eight hits, including a double each by catcher Pablo Mallari and third baseman Alex Van der Gaag.

In all, the Filipinos tagged New Zealand pitchers J. Chin and J. Snedded with eight hits.

Pinchhitter Mico Diaz drove in Gaag and Carlos Borromeo, who made it to first on an error, with a sharp grounder through short to give the Filipinos a 7-6 lead.

A single by Almendras as the Filipinos completed the batting cycle sent Diaz scooting home, giving the host team a three-run lead to the cheers of an early morning crowd.