A marching band and a chorus of well-wishers will meet the champion Big League softball team when it arrives in the country this Saturday from their successful World Series campaign in the US, at the Ninoy Aquino National Airport.
The members of the champion team include Negrenses Michelle Lentija, Queenie Sabobo, Charmaine Joy Oria, and Glesyl Opjer, who played vital roles in the 14-2 victory of the Filipinas against Westchester, California in the finals at Kalamazoo, Michigan.
All four Negrenses were products of the little league softball team from Domingo Lacson Nationa High Schoool and are now varsity scholars at the Adamson University under the supervision of women’s softball coach Ana Santiago.
Believing in the talents of the Negrenses, Santiago has been a frequent visitor in Bacolod City, scouting for talents. She was at the bleachers of the Paglaum Sports Complex in March this year, when Negros and Iloilo teams battled each other for the gold in elementary and secondary softball.
The latest accomplishment of the Big League softbelles earned the team commendations from the Senate as the body unanimously adopted Senate Resolution 837 filed by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, citing them for the honor they brought to the country.
“Unmatched by bigger, better-equipped and better-funded opponents, the Manila Softball Team representing not only the Philippines but the whole Asia-Pacific region, took home the country’s first Big League Softball World Series Title,” Trillanes said.
“This exceptional performance and unparalleled achievement deserves to be congratulated and its officials and players deserve the highest commendation for the honor, pride and recognition they brought to our country and people,” he added.
Trillanes said the team showed the world the perseverance, moral courage and competitive spirit of the Filipinos.
Trillanes also said the team had only 13 members, unlike their opponents’ full complement of 15 players, due to limited funding. They also played through jetlag, arriving at the venue a day before the tournament proper, he said.
He said the team and its officials, players and staff, deserve to be recognized for their achievement in sports.*NAB
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