By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.
Manapla town Mayor Lourdes Escalante asked her fellow local chief executives to help fight drugs through massive promotion of sports at the grassroots.
“This is a challenge for all of us (municipal and city mayors) because when we give sports to our constituents especially to the youth, we are helping them deal with their lives. We provide them time to enjoy as well as put them away from these dangerous drugs,” Escalante said as she offered a part of their family’s land to be turned into a sports facility.
She added, during the opening of the Negros First Governor Alfredo Marañon Inter-Hacienda Softball League at the Hda. Lourdes Ballpark, over the weekend that the event has brought in great opportunities for the Manaplahanons – who she knew have loved softball and are also good at it.
“We are reviving this sport because I know that this just needs some boost,” she said. She also thanked Marañon, Cong. Leo Rafael Cueva, Board Members Salvador Escalante and Samson Mirhan, as well as Cadiz City Mayor Patrick Escalante and Sagay City Mayor Thirdy Marañon, and local officials for not letting go of this project.
Twelve teams, grouped in two, will battle it out for the top prizes that include P10,000 for the champion, P7,000 for the 1st runner-up, and P5,000 for the 2nd runner-up. Losing teams will also get P2,000 each.
Bracket A is composed of Domingo Lacson National High School, Pta. Salong, Hda. Dapdap, Hda. Gaston, Cadiz Sluggers, and Hda. Lourdes, the host. Bracket B includes Hda. Laguda, Hda. Dos Hermanos, Hda. Cuaycong, Hda. Nahulog/Brgy.1A, Hda. Guinolayan, and Brgy. Burgos in Cadiz City.
In the opening day matches, the Burgos batters forced Hda. Laguda in regulations, 13-6, after the 5th inning.
In the second game, Cuaycong also forced Hda. Guinolayan into a 6th inning regulation, 15-8, while Singapore-bound and defending Palarong Pambansa gold medalist Lacsonians survived the hard fighting home team of Hda. Lourdes led by veteran pitcher Freddie Posadas.
Supervising the event is multi-titled softball coach Antonio Oquindo, Jr./WDJ