MANILA, Philippines - Team Manila-Philippines Big League Girls demolished Indonesia, 23-0, to kick off its title drive in the Asia Pacific Regional Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia yesterday.
Rizza Bernardino came away with two homeruns in the first and third innings to key the Filipinas’ romp over the hosts in just five innings in an emphatic start in their quest for a World Series berth.
The winner of this week-long event will represent the Asia Pacific Region in the Little League World Series (Big League Division) in Kalamazoo, Michigan in August.
Manila Little League president and Councilor Che Borromeo is confident of the team’s chances in the Asia Pacific Regional which the Manila team, mentored by Ana Maria Santiago, has dominated since 2001.
The MLL Charter has pushed for a more viable program the last five years to reinforce the team’s quest for international recognition, particularly in the world level of Girls Big League softball. But fund lack has hampered its development.
Still, the MLL came up with a highly competitive squad ready to take the challenge from the best in the region for another crack at the World Series.