Bacolod’s world champs defend Li’l League plum

Bacolod City, the reigning Girls Softball World Series champion, will be back to defend its title in the 2004 Little League Philippine Series that kicks off on April 12 in Tanauan City, Batangas.

"We are coming back to defend our title in our own Little League Series with fresh faces. But we remain competitive," said Bacolod coach Rey Fuentes, whose charges made sports history last year by becoming the country’s first girls softball squad to bag the prestigious World Series crown.

"We are also here since we want to represent our country again in the World Series and defend our title there," Fuentes added.

Beside the Bacolod belles, who seek to retain their 13-14-year-old plum, the other teams to watch in girls softball are sister squad Dep-Ed Bacolod and Silay City of Negros Occidental.

International Little League Association of Manila (ILLAM), on the other hand, is tipped to dominate boys baseball as its squads seek to duplicate a sweep of all age group competitions last year.

The ILLAM baseballers are the reigning 11-12, 13-14, 14-16 and 16-18 champions.

Hostilities will be ushered by opening ceremonies at 2 p.m. on April 12 at the Plantacion del Sol with Nueva Ecija Gov. Tomas Joson III, Little League Philippines chairman and chief executive officer, as the main guest of honor.