Tanauan rips ILLAM in duel of top squads

TANAUAN CITY, Batangas, Philippines – The home team’s horde of adoring fans got what they came for as Tanauan City put up a good show and downed contender ILLAM, 10-6, in an early clash of favorites in the Little League Philippines 2013 Series’ Big League Baseball action in Barangay Sala here yesterday.

Inspired by the presence of a number of supporters, the Tanaueñoes set the tone for their second straight win with an early 4-0 lead built around a two-run RBI by Christian Mercado and run-producing base-hits by Kimperlee Lopez and Andrew Mercado.

Tanauan led ILLAM, 5-3, when the game reached the tournament-imposed period of suspension of play from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. but they came out of the break even hotter, scoring five more runs in the sixth for an insurmountable 10-3 lead.

“Sila talaga (ILLAM) ang pinaghahandaan namin, alam naming threat sila (ILLAM is really the team we’re preparing the most since they are a threat to us),” said Tanauan coach Ramil Mercado, who utilized the core of the team that previously played in the World Series and Asia-Pacific tourney in Senior League Baseball division.

Mercado, whose wards play for Adamson and UST in the UAAP, said defending champion Muntinlupa is also on their radar.

Muntinlupa survived a tough-fighting Bulacan, 6-5, to join Tanauan atop the field. The reigning titlists banked on Dio Remollo’s three-run homer to pile up four runs in the third inning and seize a 4-1 cushion, which they stretched to 6-1. They then hung tough on defense in the face of Bulacan’s searing fightback, especially in the final inning, to secure their second win.

World champion Manila South flaunted its top form to jumpstart action in Big League Softball last Monday over at the Baradas Airstrip grounds. 

Heavy favorites to rule the four-team field, the Manila BLS softbelles threw their weight around Naga, 19-0, to nail the expected result even as Pasig dumped Quezon City, 12-6.

In Senior League Baseball also at Sala field, ILLAM picked up win No. 2 in Group A at the expense of Canlubang, 7-0, while Muntinlupa did the same in a 13-6 drubbing of GK Smokey Mountain.

Marikina and Muntinlupa went 2-0 in Little League Baseball’s NCR elims following easy 3-0 and 16-1 victories over GK Smokey Mountain and Makati, respectively, over in Barangay Bagumbayan.  

Calamba and Tanauan City notched their second triumphs in LLB Southern Luzon play in contrasting fashions. Calamba scraped past Canlubang, 17-16, whereas the local boys annihilated Sta. Cruz, 38-0. 

Defending Junior League Baseball champ ILLAM thumped North Cebu, 9-4, for a 2-0 card in Group B over at City High while Lipa City edged Quezon City, 7-6, for an even 1-1 slate.