By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
The Bago City government held a heroes’ welcome for the all-girls Bago City Asia-Pacific softball team after their successful tournament in the United States (US) in July of this year.
The team placed third in the 2022 Junior League Softball World Series held in Washington’s Kirkland.
During the recognition ceremony, Department of Education (DepEd) Bago City Schools Division 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 would be a memorable experience for them because they did not only receive support from the city government itself, but also from the entire Filipino community living in the US.
Sebunga said the support given to them means that their trip to the US and their participation in the tournament had been relatively easy.
Prior to the tournament, she said the players were able to have the necessary tune up in Metro Manila to better prepare them, especially the first timers.
She 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 as being “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 and congratulations sa tanan,” Sebunga said.
Meanwhile, DepEd Bago City Division Sports Officer Leo Dayot, said their team would again participate in the local elimination round set for February 2023.
Dayot said the Bago City team was 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 had already noted that their team was strong.
“I hope that this coming February, makuha gid naton ang tatlo ka categories — 11-12, 13-14, and 15-16,” Dayot said.
The city Sangguniang Panlungsod has also passed a resolution including a grant of P100,000 cash incentive for the team./DGB, WDJ