Team Manila batters whip US West champs

Team Manila-Philippines opened its bid to regain the title it last won three years ago with an impressive 8-2 victory over United States West champion Antelope Valley-California Tuesday in the 2015 Big League World Series at Layton Field in Lower Sussex, Delaware.

A bunch of heroines came to the fore for the Manila softbelles led by pitcher Mary Ann Antolihao, who struck out eight batters while holding the Americans to six scoreless innings.

After a tense start, the Filipinos got going as Celestine Palma belted a solo home run to open the scoring in the third inning. Riflayca Basa also scored off a bunt from Delyrose Covarrubias.

“Antelope Valley-California has always been a force in the Big League and could still be a contender in the semifinals,” said Manila Little League president Rafael “Che” Borromeo.

“We have to focus and not take any team for granted,” added coach Anna Santiago.

The victory sent the Filipinos, the Asia Pacific champions, to the top of Pool A with a 1-0 card, while pinning a first loss on US West, which dropped to second with a 1-1 slate.

Team Canada earlier withdrew, leaving Pool A with with just four teams.

Team Manila, whose campaign is backed by Mayor Joseph Estrada, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, Philippine Airlines and the International Container Terminal Services Inc., seeks its second win against US Southeast representative Morganton-North Carolina on Wednesday.

Manila scored four runs in the fourth, with Palma and Cristy Joy Roa rushing home off a hit by Roxzell Niloban, who also scored along with Covarrubias after a hit by Shaina Damasing.

Antelope cut the deficit to 2-6 after an RBI double from catcher Elyssa Bramer, but Manila finished with a flourish, scoring two runs courtesy of Covarrubias and Damasing. Cedelf P. Tupas