Manila softbelles start hot

DEFENDING champion Team Manila warmed up for the tougher battles ahead with an abbreviated 15-0 triumph over Canada Monday at the start of the Big League Softball World Series at Layton Field in Sussex County, Delaware.

Flashing the batting power that boosted them to the Asia Pacific title at Clark Field, Pampanga, last month, the Filipinos put on a clinic against the overmatched Canadians as they prepared for a tough three-game stretch against powerhouse teams.

They delivered 11 runs in the third inning, serving notice of their mission to retain the title they won for the first time last year in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

“So far, so good, but this is not the real test for us yet,” said Manila coach Ana Santiago, whose squad tallied 16 hits. “We can still play better.”

Hazel Anque, Mary Louise Garde and Baby Jane Raro took turns in holding Canada to just five hits.

Team Manila, whose campaign is backed by International Container Terminal Services Inc. Foundation and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, tangles with United States-East representative Pennsylvania on Monday.

The Filipinos are also bracketed with host Delaware and US-Central represented by Kalamazoo, a tough foe for Manila in previous World Series tournaments.

Unlike last year when Manila had to play all the teams in a single round-robin tournament before reaching the finals as the No. 2 seed, the 10 teams are now divided into two groups of five with the top two advancing to the semifinals.

“It’s a difficult scenario for us,” said Santiago. “We cannot afford to lose many games unlike in the past.”

“It’s only the start and we still have to face strong teams like Delaware and Kalamazoo, which I think are the teams to watch here,” said Manila councilor Che Borromeo, president of the Manila Little League charter.

With Queenie Sabobo, Angelie Ursabia and Rosalyn Boton combining for eight hits and nine RBIs, the Filipinos coasted to a 12-0 lead at the end of the third frame, virtually putting the game out of the Canadians’ reach.  Cedelf P. Tupas