ILLAM softbelles kick off Little League Softball World Series campaign

MANILA, Philippines - After the strong showing of fellow Filipino squads Norzagaray, Bulacan and Manila South, ILLAM takes its turn to try to shine on the biggest stage in the Little League Softball World Series in Portland, Oregon.

Asia-Pacific champ ILLAM takes on West titlist South Snohomish, Washington as hostilities in Pool B open Thursday (early Friday in Manila).

ILLAM is later slated to play Central’s Central Iowa LL on Friday and Canada’s Leyritz, British Columbia on Saturday and Southeast’s Rowan, North Carolina on Sunday, hoping to land in the Top 2 to advance to the crossover semis.

The ILLAM softbelles are looking to make their mark in the centerpiece division after Bulacan took runner-up honors in the seniors play and Manila wound up third in Big League last week.

ILLAM is returning to the world series after previous stints in 2006, 2007 and 2012, advancing on the strength of a sweep of Australia in the Asia-Pacific tourney.

Carrying the fight for ILLAM are Olivia Banzon, Julia Carsi Cruz (co-captain), Martine Francisco, Rocio Macasaet, Ginger Mendiola, Kendra Morris, Azusa Murano, Martina Nacion, Laticia Puno, Ysabel Rodriguez, Alex Romero-Salas (captain) and Alia Tuprio with Edwin Mercado and Carlos Galedo as coaches. 

“The girls fully deserve to be in the World Series. For the past year, they have worked very hard in improving their individual skills as well as team strategies. I have seen their love for the game, as well as their dedication and commitment to the sport,” said team manager Norman Macasaet.