BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The city government of Bago in Negros Occidental gave a “heroes’ welcome” to the all-girls Bago City Asia-Pacific softball team for a successful tournament in the United States in July of this year.
The team placed third in the 2022 Junior League Softball World Series held in the City of Kirkland in the US state of Washington.
During the recognition ceremony, Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division-Bago City Superintendent Allan Yap thanked the city government for supporting their team by finding ways and means for them to be able to participate in the international tournament.
Josie Sebunga, the team’s head coach, said the participation of the team was memorable because they did not only receive support from the city government but also from the entire Filipino community in the US.
Sebunga said the support given to them meant that their trip to the US and their participation in the tournament had been relatively easy.
Prior to the tournament, Sebunga said the players were able to have the necessary tune up in Metro Manila to better prepare them, especially the first timers.
Sebunga said of the 10 teams participating in the world series, the Asia-Pacific team managed to zero three teams from the US, and one from Canada.
She was also surprised by the team’s excellent performance as she described their opponents to be “bigger”.
Even when they were finally defeated, Sebunga added that their opponents were not able to zero them at all.
“Thank God nga naka-third place kita. Congratulations sa tanan,” Sebunga said.
So what is next for the team?
DepEd Division of Bago City Sports Officer Leo Dayot, said their team would again participate in the local elimination round set in February 2023.
Dayot said the Bago City team is at a great advantage due to the training they had received, although he reminded the team not to be complacent as some of the opponents have already taken notes that their team is strong.
“I hope that this coming February, makuha gid naton ang tatlo ka category, 11-12, 13-14, and 15-16 categories,” Dayot said.
The Bago City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) has also passed a resolution congratulating the team.
The resolution also included a grant of P100,000 cash incentive for the team./PN
