RP clouters' AsPac stint hits snag

MANILA, Philippines - Lack of funds has imperiled the stint of the RP Blu Girls-reinforced Team Manila in the Asia-Pacific Big League (16-18) girls softball championship in Bandung, Indonesia.

Baseball great Filomeno “Boy” Codiñera, president of the Manila Little League Chapter, said the team still needs to pay the $3,000 entry fee until June 1 to compete in the July 8-15 tournament.

“The physical preparation is already there but the problem is we lack the needed funds to pay the entry fee,” said Codiñera in yesterday’s SCOOP sa Kamayan forum. “We only rely on donations and sponsors but some of them have no money because of the recent elections – which we understand.”

Robert Evangelista, chairman of the Manila Little League Chapter said they are confident they could get funds in time for the deadline.

“Hopefully, we could get other funds from City Hall for the team since Mayor Alfredo Lim has been supporting us ever since,” said Evangelista.

Julie Marie Muyco, one of the current top collegiate pitchers, is one of the members of the team. She is now part of the Blu Girls squad along with Elvie Entrina, Riza Bernardino, Melanie Macatangay, Veronica Belleza, Ana Cariza Paghubasan and Marilyn Francisco.

National coach Ana Santiago is team mentor.

Evangelista said he is confident the team will take the title and represent the Asia-Pacific region in the Big League World Series set in Kalamazoo, Michigan in August.

“Some of the players are training twice a day plus we have six pitchers on our roster so I don’t see any reason why we can’t win the title,” said Evangelista.

Team Manila, which earned the right to compete in the Asia-Pacific tilt after taking the Little League Philippine Series crown in Daet, Camarines Norte, will be up against teams from Guam, Indonesia, Pakistan and China in the Asia-Pacific tilt in Bandung, a three-hour bus ride from Jakarta.

Other members of the team are Yrla Rojo, Nerissa Benjamen, Carol Banay, Erica Escanuela, Ivee Cojuangco, Bada Lao, Isabelle Gomez, Mariz Garde, Annalie Benjamin and Jessa Macaraig.

In 2008, Team Manila came up short of winning the world crown losing to Grand Rapids, Michigan, 2-1, in extra innings.