Tanauan rips Maitum, Dumaguete, in Li’l League opener

MANILA, Philippines — Majors division titlist Tanauan got its repeat bid in the Little League Philippine Series off to a rousing start as it stormed to back-to-back wins in the national finals yesterday in Cabuyao, Laguna.

Tanauan kicked off its campaign with a 15-1 drubbing of Maitum then followed it up with a 10-0 shutout of Dumaguete for a 2-0 card in the centerpiece Little League Baseball division.

It was the second consecutive setback for Dumaguete, which also absorbed a 0-28 shellacking at the hands of Muntinlupa LL.

Maitum later got on track after dismantling North Cebu, 15-0.

Tanauan’s bets in the Junior League Baseball division also flexed their muscle early, routing South Cotabato and Saranggani, 21-0 and 21-2, respectively. Muntinlupa LL likewise went 2-0 as it clobbered Iloilo, 14-4, following its 16-2 demolition of Saranggani on Day 1.

The Tanaueños made a similar show of force in seniors baseball, beating North Samar, 9-2, and Iloilo, 13-0, to pace the field, along with South Cotabato, victor over Muntinlupa, 7-5, and North Samar, 15-2.

In softball, Negros Occidental racked up two straight wins in the majors, juniors and seniors bracket.

Negros’ Little Leaguers, eager to defend their crown, fired early warning shots to the challengers with victories over Bohol, 10-0, and Agoncillo, 11-0, while their juniors counterparts showed fine form in a 7-5 win over Pasig and 22-0 rout of Saranggani. The Negrenses’ seniors softbelles touched off their title defense with a rout of Dumaguete, 10-0, and a close verdict over Bulacan, 1-0, even as Tanauan hurdled Bulacan, 2-0, and Kidapawan, 16-0.