Hot Ateneo pulls rug from under Philab nine

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Air Force assured itself of at least the No. 2 slot in its bracket after a 10-0 rout of Pacific Online even as Ateneo and Throwbacks also posted wins Thursday in the PSC Commissioners’ Cup at Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium.

The Airmen practically conducted a clinic for the 16-under batters of the llam (International Little league Association of Manila) as they roared to a fifth straight win.

Johnny Altamonte grounded a run-scoring single in the 10th inning as Ateneo slipped past favorite Philab, 4-3, while Throwbacks downed Adamson, 5-3.

Altamonte delivered the winning hit off Darwin dela Calzada to cap a big comeback by the Eagles, who scored two runs in the ninth to force an extra frame.

Ateneo, who took a stinging 2-8 loss to Rizal Technological U last Wednesday, improved to 4-1 while inflicting a first loss in three outings on Philab, which boasts the core of the former national team.

Throwbacks rose to 3-1, Pacific Online slid to 2-2 while Adamson slumped to 1-5.