Munti unseats ILLAM, enters LL final

Muntinlupa and Tanauan, Batangas downed their respective rivals yesterday to arrange a title duel in Little League Baseball play of the 2008 Little League Philippines Series at the Alabang Country Club grounds.

The Muntinlupa batters ended the International Little League Association of the Manila hurlers’ five-year reign with a shock 20-13 victory to barge into today’s title game against Tanauan, which plastered Bulacan, 13-2, in the other semifinal game.

The interesting finale is set at 1 p.m. with the winner booking itself a berth in the Asia-Pacific Regional Championships slated July 18-25 in Hong Kong where it has a chance to make it to the Little League World Series.

ILLAM and Bulacan were relegated to a battle for third place at 9 a.m. in this tournament sponsored by The Philippine STAR, Novuland Phil., Inc., Integrated Waste Management, China State Construction, Pepsi and Gatorade.

Muntinlupa, Constellation Travels, Inc., Max’s Restaurant, Krispy Kreme, Enchanted Kingdom, Shakey’s Pizza, Dunkin’ Donuts, Silver Icon, Green Icon, Xcell Properties, Le Soleil de Boracay, Smart, Pagcor and www.muntinlupalittleleague.org are backing the event.

ILLAM, however, made up for its Little League Baseball team’s loss with a 9-5 pounding of Tanauan to remain atop the heap in Big League Baseball play.

Talisay edged Bataan, 9-7, while Makati trounced Batangas, 7-0, in other Big League Baseball results.

In Seniors League Softball, Muntinlupa downed Caloocan City, 3-2, to formalize its entry to the finals against heavy favorite Bacolod West.

Bacolod West clinched a twice-to-beat advantage against Muntinlupa in their much-awaited title duel after it ripped Sta. Cruz of Laguna, 3-0.

Makati City slammed Cavite, 7-0, in a non-bearing game.

In Big League Softball, the ILLAM belles formalized their titular showdown with the Manila Golden Girls for the Big League marbles after disposing of Muntinlupa, 9-0, at the end of the division elimination round.

The ILLAM batters are heavy favorites to retain their titles in the Junior League and Big League baseball as they battle Muntinlupa and Makati, respectively, enjoying a twice to beat advantage for topping the elimination round unbeaten.