ILLAM pounds NZ, gains Sr League final

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Philippines  â€“ Host Philippines bombarded New Zealand with three home runs to pull off a 6-1 semifinal triumph over the 2012 Senior League Baseball regional champions and stay on course for the division’s now-vacant title in Asia-Pacific and Middle East Tournament yesterday at Clark Parade Grounds here.

Represented by ILLAM, the Pinoy Senior Leaguers pounced on the four-baggers of Boo Barandian, Dan Laurel and Miguel Habana to take the fight out of the Kiwis and book a trip to Sunday’s championship game.

Standing between Phl and a ticket to the Senior League Baseball World Series is CNMI, which advanced via a 3-0 verdict over Hong Kong in the other semis encounter.

“I think the boys are ready. We’re familiar with CNMI having been playing them in Asia-Pacific regularly. The boys are in good spirits and we have a very deep pitching bullpen, we won’t run out of pitchers. I hope we can sustain this kind of performance on Sunday,” said Phl team manager Arsenic Laurel of ILLAM.

Like the ILLAM batters, Phl representatives in the three remaining softball divisions – Big League (Manila South), Senior League (Sta. Cruz, Laguna), and Junior League (Iloilo Province) – moved one victory away from World Series berths after making shortwork of their respective Indonesian foes for 3-0 cards.

Reigning Filipina Big League world titlists Manila South ran away with 18-0 regulation shutout while Seniors representative Sta. Cruz, Laguna cruised to a 10-0 abbreviated romp and Juniors bet Iloilo Province stormed to a 22-0 quickwork of the Indons.

The four are looking to add to Phl’s World Series-bound roster after the Pinoy Little League Softball crew, Iloilo Province, booked the first ticket with its conquest of the APME 11-12 bracket.

After sweeping their three assignments in Pool A of the elims, the Phl Senior Baseball bets brought their hot bats against the former AsPac champs and tagged the visitor’s hurlers with 10 hits.  

Barandiaran started scoring by blasting a homer that sent Habana in for a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Rafael Esguerra’s RBI double followed by a passed ball that gave Ponz Balagtas a free pass to homeplate doubled Phl’s margin two innings later before New Zealand got on the scoreboard with a run in the fifth. The Pinoys are not done, though, as Laurel blasted it over the left field fence for a solo round-tripper, a feat duplicated by Habana just two batters later.

“Our hitting was the key,” said Laurel. “After scouting their style in the elims, we worked on our slow breaking balls and it worked as proven by the three home runs.”

Unbeaten Manila South led another rousing day for the Phl softbelles.

Queeny Sabobo (three-for-four, six RBIs), Gelyn Lamata (three-for-four, four RBIs) and Mary Louisse Garde (three-for-four, two RBIs) led a searing batting for the Manileñas, who came through with 17 hits in all against the Indons’ hurlers. Baby Jane Raro, Garde and Hazel Anque, for their part, combined for a no-hitter.

The Manileñas shoot for a sweep of the regionals and a return trip to the worlds against Guam today. 

“One more step and then we’re there (World Series) again. I hope we can defend the title. But not to look past Guam, we’re taking it one step at a time,” said Phl coach Ana Santiago.

The Asia-Pacific and Middle East Tournament is sponsored by Clark Development Corp., Philippine Sports Commission and KFC.