MANILA, Philippines - The International Little League Association of Manila (ILLAM) swept Group A before it eventually bowed to traditional powerhouse Chinese Taipei, 10-0, in the finals of the 2010 Asia Pacific Little League Regional Tournament in Surabaya, Indonesia recently.
The ILLAM boys (11-12) smothered Vietnam, 33-1, edged Singapore, 2-1, downed New Zealand, 8-5, and nipped the Japanese star-studded Hong Kong team, 4-3, to top Group A to arrange a title showdown with Group B top team Chinese-Taipei.
“The team leaned on the excellent pitching of Tony Ozaeta, Dan Laurel and Marco Mallari, the hot bats of Miguel Habana, Phonso Balagtas, and Ignacio Escano, and the defense of Diego Lozano, Javi Macasaet, Josh Salinas, Yuta Goto, Masaaki Iwasaki, Nacho Lozano and Enrico Untalan,” said team manager Norman Macasaet.
The team is handled by coaches Randy Dizer, Randy de Leon, Edwin Mercado and Joseph Orillana.
The ILLAM Majors Boys All-Stars represented the Philippines after winning the 2010 Philippine Little League Series held in Daet, Camarines Norte last April.
The team also won the 2010 Southeast Asian Youth Baseball and Softball Tournament held in Jakarta, Indonesia in March as well as the 2010 Lipa Barakitos Little League Tournament in Lipa City, Batangas.
It was supported by De Los Santos-STI Mega Clinic, Philtrust Banking Corporation, Toyota Motor Philippines, Mang Inasal, Aboitiz Power Corporation, Citi Philippines, Wi-Tribe, Wilson, Knight Capital, Ayala Land, Coca-Cola Corporation and Rebisco.
Meanwhile, ILLAM is currently accepting registrants for the 2010-2011 regular season. Registration will be on Aug. 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Manila Polo Club Softball Field, McKinley Road, Makati City.
Information: Gica Limjoco at (02) 572-44-92, 0915-190-9562 or email ILLAM at myillam@yahoo.com.