By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The powerhouse softball team from Negros Occidental’s Bago City is set to represent the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region in the 2025 Senior League Softball World Series in Delaware, USA, after an unbeaten run in the regional tournament held in Indonesia.
The Bagonhon squad swept all six of its games in the competition to clinch the championship and earn a return trip to the global stage.
The World Series will take place from July 28 to August 3.
The team is made up mostly of student-athletes from Ramon Torres National High School (RTNHS).
The roster includes Erica Arnaiz, Icelle Tanaman, Larny Joy Aquino, Mary Antoinette Sicapore, Ann Dyana Buenage, Julie Ann Buenafe, Audrie Sarsona, Biel Coline Tanaman, Nice Lobrido, Casandra Sumatra, Ashley Ortiz, Daniela Bejos, Maria Kimberly Alipato, Froline Manalo, Jean Scharlet Estrada, and Ashevielle dela Cruz.
Several members of the current team were also part of the Bago squad that captured the 2023 Junior League Softball World Series title in Kirkland, Washington.
Ahead of their departure, the team made a courtesy visit to Bago City Hall on Tuesday, July 8.
City officials, coaches and representatives from the Department of Education (DepEd) expressed their support and encouragement to the athletes as they prepare to compete against some of the world’s best youth softball teams.
Joining the delegation were team manager and head coach Francis Fuentes, assistant head of delegation Leo Dayot, DepEd-School Governance and Operations Division chief Orlando Cezar, RTNHS officer-in-charge Principal Mary Jane Araneta, coaches Arcel John Aligno, Alfon John Sumaria and Vicky Rose Belleza, as well as team moms Jullyn Benguelo and Ma. Jocelyn Denila.
The team hopes to replicate, if not surpass, their previous success and bring home another title for the country./ASC, WDJ