Golden Girls rip champs

MANILA, Philippines - Team Manila completed a come-from-behind 6-4 victory over defending champion Kalamazoo Sunday to move closer to the championship playoff in the Big League girls softball World Series at the Lee Field of the Vanderberg Park in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The Golden Girls, runner-up here two years ago, bounced back at the bottom of the fourth inning to stretch its win run to five, including a 13-1 demolition of Canada early in third day of action of the 16-18 division.

Only West Monroe of Louisiana, the US Southeast champion, stands in the way of the Filipinas, who are eyeing the second finals slot.

Michigan State’s Grand Rapids took the first finals berth with 7-0 slate.

The Filipinas battle the Louisianans in the final day of the nine-team, one round elims Tuesday, looking for a win and a second championship appearance in three years.

The Golden Girls of 2008 finished runner-up to Grand Rapids, breaking the American teams’ domination of the finals.

Despite the loss, Kalamazoo remains in the hunt although it hinges on a loss by Team Manila l to West Monroe, fancied over Antelope Valley of California in a game set also Tuesday.

In this case, Kalamazoo and West Monroe will end up tied for second place at 6-2 with the hosts clinching the other final seat by virtue of its 10-3 victory over West Monroe.

Team Manila would drop to 5-3.

Julie Marie Muyco claimed the victory over Kalamazoo, her fourth in Manila’s five wins against two losses. Her streak that started after the Golden Girls surged back into contention was snapped by Melanie Macatangay, who earlier in the day presided over a 13-1 rout of Canada.