CLARK – The 2016 Asia Pacific Intermediate and Senior Baseball Tournament fires off today with host Philippines immediately launching its bid on two fronts at the Villas here.
Philippine champion Sarangani takes the field against fancied Japan at the start of action in the Intermediate 50/70 division while the International Little League Association of Manila (ILLAM) begins its quest versus Australia over in the Senior League Baseball play.
Other opening-day matches pit defending champion Korea against Indonesia in Intermediate and holder Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) versus Guam in Senior.
The traditional opening ceremonies and parade of teams precede Day One action at 8 a.m. Monday.
Ten teams from eight countries are competing in the tourney backed by Mister Donut and the Philippine Sports Commission, which serves as a qualifying meet for the World Series.
Hong Kong, the eighth country in the field, kicks off its campaign in the Intermediate on Tuesday against Japan.
Champions in the Clark hostilities will represent Asia Pacific in the Intermediate 50/70 Baseball WS in Livermore, California and in the Senior League Baseball WS in Bangor, Maine next month.