Little League AsPac on at Clark

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines will host the Little League Asia Pacific regional tournament at Clark from June 29-July 5 with 52 teams from 16 countries participating.

Reigning 50-70 world champion Japan headlines the field in the week-long tournament that includes nine squads from the Phl with the winners clinching berths in the World Series.

Eight other teams will seek to pull off reversals in the 50-70 baseball division.

Centerpiece event little league baseball will have 11 squads while junior league baseball will feature nine. Senior league baseball will have six squads while big league baseball will see four sides.

Softball’s majors, juniors, seniors and big league divisions – the Phl’s stronghold – will showcase two sides each playing best-of 5 affairs.

“We’ll participate in all nine divisions in baseball and softball and try to make the most out of our homefield advantage,” said Little League assistant district administrator Chito Gonzales.

Last year Phl swept the four events in softball and won the senior league AsPac crown.

“We expect to have our hands full in baseball, especially with Chinese Taipei and Japan around but we have strong chances in softball,” he added.

The Phl will be entering three of its world series campaigners in softball last year –  Iloilo Province in majors and juniors and former world champ Manila in the big league.