THE provincial government of Negros Occidental has thrown its support behind the softball teams that will represent the Philippines in the upcoming Asia-Pacific Qualifier in Singapore and hope to advance to the World Series in the United States.
Capitol has allocated P2 million for the purchase of the teams’ flight tickets and other requirements, provincial softball consultant and multi-titled coach Antonio Oquindo Jr. told Buzzer Beater.
Majority of the players are from ETCS (Education and Training Center School) and Domingo Lacson National High School in Bacolod City but, too boost the squads, players from other parts of the province were also picked.
Lizvi Jalandoni is heading the Little League team while Roselle Hulleza is directing the Junior Leaguers. The delegations are set to leave for Singapore on June 27.
The Negrense players earned spots in this year’s ASPAC tournament in Singapore after winning the titles in the recent 2018 Philippine Series Finals in Cabuyao, Laguna.
The Jalandoni-mentored batters dominated their Cavite counterparts 13-3 in the finals to defend their Little League crown while Hulleza’s wards defeated Pasig 3-1 to clinch the Junior League title.
FOTON LOADING UP
After failing to reach the finals in the import-laden conference, Foton Tornadoes made a recruiting coup during the offseason as it acquired Ateneo Lady Eagles star Bea de Leon.
Tornadoes team owner Rommel Sytin said that the inclusion of De Leon will be a huge boost for the two-time champion ahead of the Philippine Superliga (PSL) Invitational Conference starting June 23.
The 5-foot-11 De Leon is a prized catch for Tornadoes as she will form a towering frontline along with national women’s volleyball team members Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Jaja Santiago.
“We already have our twin tower and now, we’re introducing our third tower,” Sytin said in a press conference recently. “Bea is one of the best middle blockers in the country today. I’m so happy that Bea chose Foton to be her new ballclub.”
De Leon, for her part, said that she chose to join Tornadoes despite receiving offers from other teams due to its powerhouse lineup that has Gyzelle Sy, Jen Reyes, CJ Rosario, Maika Ortiz, Shaya Adorador, Carmina Aganon, Gen Casugod, and Ivy Perez.
“A big factor to my decision is the current lineup. I see a very big potential with Foton, especially playing next to the Santiago sisters,” said de Leon, who earned her AB Management Economics degree from Ateneo recently.
“Jaja is always fun to play with. She’s very good and very humble inside and outside the court,” added De Leon, who was chosen to be part of the national team in the AVC Asian U-23 Women’s Championship and the 28th Southeast Asian Games in 2015.
When quizzed by Buzzer Beater whether her move to Philippine Superliga also signals the end of her tenure in Lady Eagles, De Leon said she has not decided yet./PN
