All-Stars angle for finals berth

The CNMI All-Stars chugged along in the third day of competition in the Junior, Senior, and Big League Asia-Pacific Tournament at the Paseo Stadium in Agana, Guam.

The Commonwealth’s Junior Leaguers won a berth to the finals Monday when it walloped Jakarta 14-4. The win against Indonesia sets up a meeting with archrival Guam for all the marbles this morning.

Guam finished with a perfect 2-0 card in the eliminations after beating the CNMI 7-6 Saturday and then thumping Jakarta 18-7 Sunday. The CNMI split its first two games but finished second in the three-nation field with a 1-1 record. Jakarta comes home with a 0-2 mark but not before enthralling the fans with their passion for the game.

The CNMI-Guam championship today is set at 9:30am. The winner will represent the Asia-Pacific in the Junior League World Series slated for August 15 in Taylor, Michigan.

In the Senior League, the CNMI All-Stars have one foot inside the door after leading the Philippines 8-0 when play was suspended in the bottom of the second inning Monday.

If the All-Stars go on to beat the Philippines it would battle Guam in the finals starting at 12pm today.

The CNMI got off on the wrong foot Saturday when it was nipped by a resilient Guam team 8-7 Saturday. Guam assured itself of a place in the championship after doubling up the Philippines 8-4 Monday.

The last team standing Wednesday advances to the Senior League World Series set to begin on August 16 in Bangor, Maine.

It’s also shaping up to be a CNMI-Philippines duel for the second finals berth in the Big League division after the Commonwealth lost to Guam 13-7 Monday.

The win against the CNMI allowed Guam to enter the finals where it is awaiting the winner of the game between the CNMI and the Philippines, which was still being played as of press time.

Guam will play either of the two teams starting at 2:15 this afternoon for the right to represent the Asia-Pacific in the Big League World Series. The World Series for the Big League will be played on July 20 in Easley, South Carolina.

CNMI Little League assistant district administrator Tony Rogolifoi feels that the islands’ all-star teams all have a great chance of advancing to the finals against Guam in all the three divisions.

“We’re rooting for the Seniors and the Big Leaguers to beat the Philippines. The Senior All-Stars are already up in their game against the Philippines. And in the finals against Guam, anything could happen as witnessed last year,” he said.

In 2003, the CNMI Junior All-Stars went to the World Series after upsetting Guam in the championship game. Guam also swept the elimination round last year before getting their hearts broken by the CNMI in the finals.