Muntinlupa blanks Antipolo, cops Big League title

MANILA, Philippines - Carlos Muñoz twirled a no-hitter as Muntinlupa Little League dominated Antipolo, 19-0, to rule the Big League Division in the 2012 Little League Philippine Series in Clark, Pampanga yesterday. 

The MLL big leaguers narrowly lost its first game in the two-group, round robin phase, 12-13 to Tanauan. But they humbled defending champion ILLAM, 13-3, in the semis while Tanauan suffered a stinging upset loss to Antipolo, 10-0.

MLL, however, routed Antipolo, 10-0, right in the first inning and went on to cruise to a trouble-free win.

Coached by Iking Jimenez, the MLL batters made it 15-0 in the second with Antipolo conceding the game in the fourth after MLL added four more runs.

The MLL’s big hitters were Dio Remollo, Paco Tantuico, Luis Puno, Justin Mathay, Quito Castro, Carlos Muñoz, Ado Iñigo, Tommy Cuna and Migs de Guzman. 

The Muntinlupa champions, team composed mostly of De La Salle Zobel players, will thus represent the country in the Regional Little League Series in Guam in June. The regional champions among the Asia-Pacific teams will then compete in Bangor, Maine, USA for the world championship in July.