Batangas’ Lipa City and Nueva Ecija’s Palayan blasted their respective rivals yesterday to advance to the next phase in Little League baseball play of the 2008 Little League Philippine Series at the Alabang Country Club grounds.
Lipa City slammed Gen. Trias, Cavite, 12-2, to join Marikina City, a 16-5 winner over Gen. Trias Monday, in the 10-team, two-group second round with 4-0 slates in Group C of the event which offers a berth in the Asia-Pacific World Series Regional Qualifier slated July 18-25 in Hong Kong.
Palayan likewise gained after it routed Zamboanga City, 16-0, for its fifth victory in row in Group B of the tournament supported by Novuland Phil., Inc., Integrated Waste Management, Inc., China State Construction, The Philippine STAR, Pepsi, Gatorade, Max’s Restaurant, Krispy Kreme, Enchanted Kingdom and Muntinlupa City.
Ilocos Norte, whose participation here is bankrolled by Gov. Michael Keon, and another Batangas bet, Tanauan, also advanced after posting their fourth straight win with the former demolishing Makati, 13-0, and the latter whipping Los Baños, Laguna, 10-1, Monday.
Brgy. Ayala-Alabang, Oleo Fats, Inc., Mizuno Sports, Milo, Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, Lifeline Rescue Arrows and KPI Elevators are backing the annual meet with Little League Philippines, Alabang Country Club Inc., Junior Baseball and Softball Foundation of the Philippines and the Alabang Baseball Softball Club Sports as partners.
Pook Agoncillo zeroed in on second and last seat in Group B with a 12-2 win over Pasig City for a 4-1 record while Bulacan blasted Camarines Norte, 12-2, to stay in title contention in Group E with a 2-1 card.
Antipolo City rapped Bataan, 5-1, in a non-bearing Little League baseball contest in Group C.
In big league softball action, Bacolod East leaned on a late run by Sheena Mae Ventura as it nipped Muntinlupa, 1-0, while Manila stunned defending champion International Little League Association of Manila, 6-2, to forge a three way log-jam on top.
Bacolod East, Manila and ILLAM as well as Muntinlupa, which lost all its first round matches, play each other again in another single-round robin format that is expected to be tougher since all four in the group are still in championship contention.
The top team in the group will end up with the twice-to-beat advantage versus the second place in the finale.
