After an eight-year absence, softball finally makes a comeback in the Southeast Asian Games with the Philippine men’s and women’s teams expected to figure well in the hunt for the gold medals.
When softball was last played during the 1997 Jakarta SEA Games, the Blu Boys wound up second to Indonesia while the Blu Girls won the gold medal by beating the Indons.
The Blu Boys, however, have vowed to do better this time, hoping to get back at their tormentors and win the gold medal on home turf. The Blu Girls are expected to do the same before their countrymen.
Softball action is scheduled Nov. 28 to Dec. 4 at the Rosario Sports Arena in Pasig City.
"We’ll be there fighting for the gold," said Blu Boys head coach Gregorio dela Cerna during a short break in their daily four-hour practice at the spacious Rosario venue the other day.
"Things have changed since 1997 when we lost the gold in Jakarta. We now have two great pitchers with us, Marciano Sta. Maria and Mark Rae Ramirez. And we have the homecourt advantage," he added.
The Blu Boys will rely on the leadership of team captain Apolonio Rosales and veteran Fidel Moncera and eight other members of the 1997 team like Dario and Manuel Bacarisas plus Orlando and Romeo Binarao.
The other members of the team are Romeo Bumagat, Masyong Cabrera, Rogelio Rojas, Rizal and Anthony Santos, Melvin Villegas, Sonnyboy and Florante Acuna and Isidro Abello.
Also part of the coaching staff are Nilo Bajaran and Joel Binarao. Team manager is businessman-sportsman Jean Henry Lhuillier who has answered the call of softball president Harry Angping for needed support.
"Isa lang ang maipapangako namin, pipilitin naming makuha ang gold. Ninety percent ito sa atin ang gold," said Rosales, a certified power-hitter.
The Blu Boys are already assured of a medal in the SEA Games since there are only three entries in the men’s side (Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia) while the Blu Girls will have three others to contend with in Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.
Making up the women’s team are team captain Nimpa Baral, assistant captain Joy Lanting, Heidilyn Arca, Belen Asok, Haydee Bongas, Ellaine Caladiao, Nelia Lara, Mary Joy Lasqueti, Claire Laurilla, Kimster Liwas, Joan Locsin, Syrel Ramos, Gina Salvador, Ma. Corazon Soberre, Emily and Esmeralda Tayag, and Janet Vallite.
The Blu Girls coaching staff is made up of head coach Rolly Malaguit and assistants Roberto Ituralde, Noel Bumagat, Hernando Posadas and Anastacio Francisco.