BACOLOD CITY – The city government of Bago City in Negros Occidental proudly recognized the Bago City Girls Junior League Softball team which placed third in the 2022 Junior League Softball World Series in Kirkland, Washington, United States of America (USA) on Aug. 6.
The Filipino girls team represented Team Asia-Pacific in the prestigious tournament.
A motorcade was held on Monday Aug. 22, in Bago City to welcome the team composed of 18 players aged 13 to 14, their coaches, parents, and other members of the delegation team.
The local government also turned over a cash incentive of P100,000 to the team led by its team captain Layle Baladjay of Barangay Sampinit.
The City Council also passed a resolution stating that ‘the outstanding performance by our athletes deserved to be commended for the honor and recognition they have brought not only to our city in particular but also to our country in general.’
Ignacio Denila, head of the delegation and sports coordinator of Bago City, said they traveled to USA on July 28 to participate in the competition which was held from July 31 to Aug. 6.
According to Josie Sebunga, head coach, it was a memorable experience for the players since it was their first time to join a world class tournament, following their triumph as champion in the Little League Philippines National Finals Softball Tournament.
Sebunga said the children fought well during the competition against 10 teams.
The team also won the sportsmanship award.
Sebunga thanked the Filipino community in the USA and the local government of Bago for their full support to the team.
The team will be preparing for the next Philippine series in February 2023.
In his earlier statement, Mayor Nicholas Yulo lauded the team for bringing pride and glory to the city.
“Indeed, the whole of Bago City and the nation rejoice in your victory,” the local chief executive said.
Yulo congratulated the players and their coaches for their hard work, dedication, and perseverance in bringing honor not only to Bago City but to the entire nation as well.
Worthy of note are their parents for encouraging their children and the Filipino community in the USA for taking good care of our athletes, thereby boosting their morale and fighting spirit to hit a ‘home run,’ Yulo said.