Muntinlupa claims Little League senior, junior crowns

MANILA, Philippines -  Muntinlupa trounced their rivals in decisive fashion to claim the Little League senior and junior crowns in the Philippine series and secure berths in the Asian regional tourneys.

The Muntinlupa Senior squad overwhelmed ILLAM, 20-10, and gained the win via the mercy rule while its junior team outclassed Tanauan, 13-1, to earn the Philippine slots in the Asian conclave set in Jakarta this July.

The winners will represent Asia in the Little League World Series in the United States.

“Our best performance ever,” said Rally Martinez, chair of the Muntinlupa Little League with the results underscoring its efficient community-based grassroots program in both youth baseball and softball.

The senior clouters clinched the win on a two-run homer by Justin Mathay in the sixth inning, defusing ILLAM’s rally earlier sparked by a grand slam by Kevin Ramos.

But the Muntinlupa sluggers responded with its own slam through shortstop Franco Hashimoto and homers by Dio Remollo and Paco Tantuico.

Their junior counterparts leaned on the steady pitching of Justin Mihalik and Anton Manzano to scuttle Tanauan’s offensive in the one-sided encounter.