ILLAM gains Big League final, shades Tanauan

MANILA, Philippines - As expected, the International Little League Association of Manila (ILLAM) yesterday moved into the finals of the Big League baseball of the 2009 Philippine Series.

The ILLAM All-Stars got a big scare from Tanauan before prevailing, 6-5, and moving into the finals with a 4-0 record. It was a tight battle between unbeaten teams.

Tanauan took its first loss in four outings, and will try to advance to the finals against Camarines Norte today at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex ballpark.

In Big League softball, pitchers Jacky Pangilinan of UE and Erica Escanuela of Adamson led Manila ILLAM All-Stars to an 11-0 victory over Caloocan. It was ILLAM’s fifth win against a lone defeat.

Sta. Cruz, which stunned ILLAM on opening day, was playing Rizal for the right to join the All-Stars on top.

ILLAM also scored in the Senior League softball, beating Cavite, 9-6, to remain on track for a projected finals encounter with Bacolod-West.

The organizing Little League Philippines under district administrator Jolly Gomez and executive director Chito Gonzalez has tapped eight venues for the tournament that attracted 1,300 players from 94 teams.

Games are being held at the Rizal Memorial diamond, the Rizal Memorial track stadium, PUP, Luneta, Santo Tomas, Rizal High in Pasig, Sto. Niño in Marikina and the Smokey Mountain. – Abac Cordero