BY HERBERT VEGO
ILOILO City – After forfeiting its first two games, the much-vaunted Iloilo softball girls’ team of Zarraga, Iloilo – which represents the Philippines and the entire Asia-Pacific region in the ongoing Little League Softball World Series in Portland, Oregon, USA – finally showed up for its third game Saturday night (yesterday morning in the Philippines) but lost to Canada 11-1.
As reported via Internet by correspondent Cristina Rojas, the Iloilo team scored the only homerun in the first inning but did no more in the second to sixth innings.
Canada, on the other hand, scored two in the fourth inning and nine in the fifth.
To recall, the Ilonggo had earlier forfeited their first two games at the Alpenrose Stadium for failure to arrive for their scheduled matches against USA-West of California and USA East of New Jersey August 7 (Thursday) and August 8 (Friday).
They arrived in Oregon just in time for their third game against Canada on Saturday.
When asked for whatever information he could provide, Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. expressed disbelief because he had been told that the team had left Manila on August 5 yet or a full two days prior to their first game.
Nobody from the Iloilo team has relayed to the governor the reason behind their delayed arrival.
The team’s fourth and last game is scheduled today (August 11) against the USA-Southwest team from the state of Louisiana.
Meanwhile, Vice Gov. Raul Tupas yesterday told Panay News on the live radio show “Reklamo Publiko” that the Sangguniang Panlalawigan would verify whether most of the delegation members of the Iloilo team were non-athletes or hangers-on who had nothing to do with the games whatsoever.
The team leader is Dr. Myrna Castillo, Iloilo division superintendent of schools.
The province of Iloilo had donated P200,000 for their United States trip. They had requested for a million pesos but this was turned down by the Commission on Audit.
The Iloilo/Philippine team, consisting of 11-12 years old school girls from Zarraga, Iloilo, had gained the right to represent the Asia-Pacific region when they emerged champion in the Asia-Pacific Regional Championships in Angeles City in April 2014, besting 51 other softball teams from 16 countries.
The Ilonggo “softbelles” are the following: Jaimalyn Ambong, Sheah Rendo, Mae Langga, Royebel Palma, Shymie Sarayno, Kathy Nueva, Irish Tagolimot, Xyka Balintogo, Ajhe Giron, Kate Nueva and Marivic Lagarto./PN
