Iloilo belles stop Aussies for WS return trip

MANILA, Philippines - Host Philippines walloped Australia, 17-0, to sweep its way to back-to-back Little League Softball crown and book another ticket to the world series in yesterday’s Little League Asia Pacific and Middle East Tournament at the Clark Parade Grounds.

Represented by Iloilo Province, the Pinay softbelles imposed their will early on, storming to a 7-0 cushion to set the tone for the four-inning rout that completed their mastery of the Aussies in the best-of-five duel, 3-0. Iloilo earlier scored 10-0 and 17-1 triumphs.

The Ilonggas of coach Rey Fuentes earned their second straight appearance in the LL Softball World Series, slated Aug. 7-13 at Alpenrose Stadium in Portland, Oregon.

The host nation also closed in on world series stints in two other softball divisions.

Phl bet Iloilo blanked Indonesia, 20-0, for a 2-0 lead in juniors play while GK Smokey Mountain edged Guam, 3-1, for a similar upperhand in seniors hostilities.

In Senior League Baseball, the Phl champ International League Association of Manila (ILLAM) turned to the sizzling bat of Diego Lozano to clobber Indonesia, 11-1, and improve to 2-1.

Hitless in his first two outings, Lozano came to life and went three-for-three against the Indons, spiking his effort with four RBIs, as the ILLAM batters boosted their shot at the finals of the 13-16 division.

The Pinoys will seek this objective today against Guam, which carried a similar 2-1 slate after dropping a 4-5 decision to Marianas. With a 3-0 card, Marianas virtually assured themselves of a spot in the championship.

In the majors, Dubai beat Marianas, 7-0; Saudi Arabia whipped Vietnam, 12-2 and Indonesia turned back New Zealand, 6-4.

Korea picked up its third straight win in Intermediate 50/70 with a 14-0 demolition of Phl in Pool A while world champion Japan did the same in Pool B with a 17-0 shellacking of Hong Kong in Pool B.