Manila softbelles shoot for Big League semifinals

TEAM Manila-Philippines seeks a place in the semifinals on Thursday when it battles US Southeast bet Morganton-North Carolina in the 2015 Big League Softball World Series in Lower Sussex, Delaware.

The Asia-Pacific champions opened their campaign with an 8-2 victory over US West representative Antelope Valley-California last Monday to seize top spot in the four-team Pool A.

But they are still expected to have their hands full against the North Carolina squad, which suffered a close 1-2 loss to US Central champion South Bend-Indiana.

Manila coach Ana Santiago said the team is not looking past North Carolina despite the team’s sputtering start.

“We will definitely go for a win today although we are not taking North Carolina lightly because they need a win to avoid elimination,” said Santiago.

Manila Little League president Che Borromeo said he expects no letup from the Manila softbelles. “We have to stay focused because we cannot afford to waste this opportunity,” he said.

Mary Ann Antolihao shone against California, striking out eight batters while holding the Americans scoreles in six innings, but it was Celestine Palma’s home run in the third inning that opened the floodgates for Manila.

Manila is looking to reclaim the crown it last won three years ago in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with its campaign backed by Mayor Joseph Estrada and his Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, Philippine Airlines and ICTSI.