The Illam Central Little League of Makati City, Philippines, became the second team to qualify for the 2006 Senior League World Series to be held at Mansfield Stadium in Bangor on Aug. 13-19.

The Philippines defeated Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, 13-1 Friday in the championship game of the Asia Pacific qualifying tournament at Jakarta, Indonesia.

This will mark the Philippines’ first appearance at the Senior League World Series since 2002, the first year Bangor hosted the 10-team international event for 15- and 16-year-old players. The Asia Pacific champs went winless in four games of pool play that year.

The Philippines will open play in this year’s SLWS at 2:30 p.m., Aug. 13, against the yet-to-be-crowned U.S. West champion. That will be the second of four games on the opening day of play, with the host Maine District 3 champion facing the Canadian champs in the first game at noon.

Opening ceremonies for this year’s SLWS are scheduled for 8 p.m., Aug. 12.