Phl foils Saipan, forces rematch for AsPac crown

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines, bannered by International Litttle League of Manila (ILLAM), produced clutch runs in the sixth inning as it rallied past first round tormentor CNMI-Saipan, 3-2, yesterday to arrange a rematch for the Asia-Pacific Big League Championship crown at the Rizal Memorial baseball field.

Trailing 1-2 going into the bottom sixth, the hosts leaned on shortstop Mark Ong, who was 0-of-3 before hitting a grounder to left field that sent home Fil-Japanese hurler Tsuyoshi Horibata for the tying run.

Reliever Dave Jones walked centerfielder Vincent Ching with the bases loaded, allowing second baseman Sebastian Martinez to score the marginal run for the Philippines.

Unlike Jones, closer Mike Gante, replacing Horibata at the mound, calmly fanned out three of the five Saipan batters he faced to complete the come-from-behind victory.

The win also avenged a 2-6 loss the Phl suffered against the same squad in their first encounter.

It was the locals’ third victory in four games as they forged a title duel with CNMI-Saipan.

“We didn’t actually hit well but we’ll take the win anytime,” said Illam coach Edgardo delos Reyes. “I also must give credit to my pitchers and the team’s desire to win.”

In the ASPAC Seniors’ Championship, Guam swept the Phl, represented by Tanauan, with an emphatic 8-4 win to stay in the hunt for the crown.

It was the second loss by the Nationals to Guam, who pulled off a 4-3 win in their first encounter.

The Phl fell to 2-2.

Guam used a big five-run blitz in the fifth inning on three hits and pounced on the hosts’ four errors to overcome a 1-2 deficit and post its second victory in three games.

The Guam side needs to hurdle Indonesia to clinch a finals berth. The Indonesians, toting a 1-2 card, face the Guamanians again at 8 a.m. today.

A loss by Guam would pave the way for a three-way tie for the lead.

The winner of both divisions will represent Asia-Pacific in their respective World Series competitions set in August in the US.