MANILA, Philippines - Team KPMG beat Team Ascott Chang to capture the junior division crown in the International Little League Association of Manila (ILLAM) 2010-2011 Season at the Manila Polo Club baseball field recently.
It was a big victory for Team KPMG, which actually dropped its first game to Team Toyota but racked up nine victories in their next 11 games to finish on top with a 9-3 (win-loss) mark.
In winning the title, team manager Arsenic Laurel said they worked on team effort, combining their veterans with their new players, who delivered the goods in the semis and finals.
Meanwhile, ILLAM is a charter of Little League Philippines, which belongs to the International Little League Organization out of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The ILLAM program consists of boys baseball and girls softball youth programs from Tee Ball (5-7 years old), Minor League (8-10 years), Major League (11-12), Junior League (13-14), Seniors (15-16)and Big League (16-18).
The success of the ILLAM youth program is proven by the number of national and regional championships it has won in all the divisions mentioned above. ILLAM has represented the country and the Asia Pacific region in the Little League World Series 13 times over the last eight years.
The support of companies such as KPMG has made this possible. Many ILLAM alumni are playing in the UAAP under scholarships. The KPMG team played in the Junior League, which is part developmental where beginners are mixed with those who have been playing for around seven years.