Tanauan batters rip Indonesians

MANILA, Philippines — Tanauan leaned on an explosive start to whip Indonesia, 16-1, Monday for its second straight victory in the Little League Asia Pacific Regional Championships at Clark Parade Grounds in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Neil Perez hit a home run as the Tanauan batters opened the game with a six-run binge to take the fight out of the Indonesian in the division for players’ 11 and 12 years old.

The real test for the Tanauan batters will be on Wednesday when they face powerhouse South Korea.

“We’re just aiming to make it to the semifinals and take it from there,” said coach Romar Landicho of his charges, who are looking to improve on their eighth place in their debut in the Aspac regionals last year.

In other games, New Zealand and Indonesia bounced back from first-day losses. The Kiwis slipped past Guam, 5-3, while Indonesia, composed mostly of children of American expatriates, whitewashed Hong Kong, 11-0.

In the 50-70 Intermediate division (11-13 years), Indonesia scored seven runs in the opening inning and clobbered India, 7-0, for its first win Two other Philippine teams stumbled in other divisions.

Marikina dropped a second straight game in the Big League (15-18 years), losing to Marianas, 4-5. Japan overwhelmed Zambales, 11-0, in Minor Division (10-11) play.

The 52-team, 16-country tournament is backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Clark Development Corp., KFC, Globe and Limitless Inc.