BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The all-girl Asia Pacific softball team from Bago City, Negros Occidental, who ranked third place in the recently concluded 2022 Junior League Softball World Series held at Kirkland in Washington, United States of America, was accorded with a heroes’ welcome by the city government yesterday.
In recognition for the hard work, dedication and perseverance which brought honor, not only to Bago City, but the entire country as well, the City Council also granted them P100,000 cash incentives.
The Bago City Girls Junior League Softball Team represented the Asia Pacific region in the softball World Series that comprised of 18 countries.
Of the 10 teams participating in the World Series, head coach Josie Sebunga said they managed to hold to “zero” three teams from the United States and one from Canada, despite being “bigger” opponents.
Despite the odds, Sebunga said their opponents failed to hold them scoreless as they managed to land third place in the World Series, after being defeated by South Carolina in the quarter finals, but winning against Nevada in the battle for the third position.
Team captain Layle Baladjay said they were not intimidated by bigger opponents, as they even played against men in softball, while preparing for the international competition since 2018.
Baladjay, Sebunga, City Sports Officer Leo Dayot, and Allan Yap, Bago City Department of Education Schools Division Superintendent, took turns in for the all-out support of Bago City officials, led by Mayor Nicholas Yulo and the Filipino community in the US, during the international sports event.
Dayot said the Bago City softball team is eyeing participation in three softball age categories: 11 to 12, 13 to 14 and 15 to 16, on February next year, citing their advantage due to the numerous trainings the all-girls softball team has undergone.
A motorcade was also held around the main thoroughfares of Bago City, prior to the giving of cash incentives to the softball team, who are all students of Bago City, and their coach, by members of the Bago City Council who represented Mayor Yulo.*
