Summer Grandslam gets going May 9

MANILA, Philippines - The fifth Summer Grandslam-Cebuana Lhuillier Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (Asaphil) Softball Invitationals is slated May 9-15 with Rizal Technological University and University of Santo Tomas heading the 20-team field at the Wangal Sports Complex in La Trinidad, Benguet.

“This is part of our grassroots development program for softball as we try to provide a regular opportunity for players to play in an organized tournament every year. It also serves as a talent identification program as we try to discover new talents for both the men’s and the women’s sides who can be trained and developed to become members of our national teams,” said Asaphil president and sportsman-businessman Jean Henri Lhuillier.

RTU and UST are the defending champions in the men’s and ladies divisions, respectively.

Asaphil operations manager Jun Veloso said he has already extended invitations to softball teams from all over the country and also to Brunei and Indonesia. Singapore earlier begged off due to conflict in schedule.

Presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and sponsored by Pera Padala, Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions, Le Soleil de Boracay, Just Jewels and Phiten, the event offers a P30,000 cash prize to the champion teams in both divisions. The second and third placers will get P20,000 and P10,000, respectively.

Deadline for registration is on May 2. Details: Veloso at 0916-4938937 and 0922-5204062, or email [email protected] and www.facebook.com/asaphil.