Makati belles top AsPac softball, gain WS berth

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine champion Makati achieved another milestone as it earned a spot to the Senior League Softball World Series after topping the Asia Pacific Tournament in Singapore over the weekend.

Making its first appearance in the AsPac series, the Makati belles made their presence felt and handily beat host Singapore in their best-of-five affair for the 13-16 division crown via lopsided scores of 31-1, 12-1, and 10-0.

Makati will thus represent Asia Pacific in the World Series slated July 31-Aug. 6 in Lower Sussex, Delaware against champions from other regions and districts from the US.

It was a different ending for perennial winner Manila South, however, as it relinquished the AsPac throne in Big League Softball to China, 0-1.

The two sides fought on even terms after six innings but the Manileñas conceded a costly run in the last frame, allowing the Chinese to snatch the crown and clinch a trip to the World Series also slated July 31-Aug. 6 in Delaware.

Manila, a former world champion in the 18-under category, absorbed its first loss in 11 years.