Justin Mihalik homered to cap Muntinlupa’s come-from-behind win over Tanauan City, 12-11, Wednesday at the start of the second round of hostilities of the 2008 Little League Philippine Series major league (11 to 12 years old division) boys’ baseball tournament at the Alabang Golf and Country Club field.

Mihalik’s homer to left field at the top of the sixth inning punctuated the host’s comeback from 0-7 down in the first inning. An attempt by Tanauan to force a deadlock at the bottom sixth went to naught, thus allowing Muntinlupa to grab the early lead in Group A.

Muntinlupa scored nine runs in the second and two in the fourth inning to take an 11-7 lead, but Tanauan did not budge and tied it up at the bottom of the fourth.

Defending champion International Little League Association of Manila (Illam), on the other hand, chalked up five runs in the fifth to defeat Lipa City, 11-8, in Group B to touch off its own second-round campaign.

In the big league (17-18) girls’ softball division, Bacolod City-East allowed a home run but beat Illam, 2-1, in the four-team tournament.

Ana Marie Moneva singled to send Mary Grace Doroniva home who went on board on a base on balls, a passed ball and a fielder’s choice in the third inning, while Ronalyn Demi scored the go-ahead run in the sixth after an error to give Bacolod City-East the victory.

Alex Zuluaga’s home run to left field in the first frame was not enough for Illam as Rosie Parcia yielded only two hits and fanned six batters she met for Bacolod, which shared the division lead with a 3-1 card.

Manila joined Bacolod on top of the standings with a 12-0 win over Muntinlupa in the other game.

Illam had a different fortune in the big league (17-18) boys’ baseball by overcoming Talisay City, 9-1, to make it 4-0 in its division.

Tanauan also tallied a 4-0 win-loss card with a 7-0 win over Batangas in the senior league (15-16) boys’ baseball division.

Bacolod teams also enjoyed victories in different divisions also Wednesday. The Bacolod junior league (13-14) boys’ baseball team blanked Cavite, 17-0, while its senior league (15-16) girls’ softball team routed Palayan City, 12-0.

For more information, log on to www.muntinlupalittleleague.org and littleleaguephilippines.typepad.com.

‘Sign contract, Manny’

WORLD lightweight champion David Diaz is just waiting for Manny Pacquiao to sign the dotted line.

Nestea Beach Volley: Visayan favorites shine

Bacolod City—Defending champion University of the Visayas (UV) and three-time titlist Southwestern U (SWU) inched closer to a return trip to Boracay after posting convincing wins in the second day of the 12th Nestea Beach Volley National Circuit Visayas Elimination at the University of Saint La Salle.

SPECULATION has risen that communications mogul Manny V. Pangilinan may consider leaving his post as president of the Basketball Association of the Philippines-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP).

PUREFOODS superstar James Yap underscored his soaring popularity in the just-concluded balloting for starters of the North and South teams of this year’s All-Stars Game (ASG).

Justin Mihalik homered to cap Muntinlupa’s come-from-behind win over Tanauan City, 12-11, Wednesday at the start of the second round of hostilities of the 2008 Little League Philippine Series major league (11 to 12 years old division) boys’ baseball tournament at the Alabang Golf and Country Club field.

THE country’s No. 1, Cecil Mamiit, is not intimidated at all despite having to face highly-ranked opponents in the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I relegation tie from April 11 to 13, and believes the duel would give them the chance to excel against tough opponents.

THE National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) and the Asian Tour would have to look for a new venue for the 2009 Philippine Open because the fabled East course of Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, host venue the last three years, would undergo a major renovation very soon.

SINCE time immemorial, summer has always meant fun and games, beach fun, pool side pranks, and laughter to go with it.