Asaphil lines up grand slam tilt

MANILA, Philippines - The Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (Asaphil) kicks off its annual summer grand slam softball tournament on May 1-7 in Clark Field, Pampanga.

Over 27 teams are expected to join, including Adamson, University of the Philippines, National University, Rizal Technological University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of Sto. Tomas and Central Luzon State University.

Others vying in the event are Bulacan State University, Davao, Rizal, Ateneo, University of the Cordilleras Baguio, Makati City, La Salle Zobel, Phil. Air Force, Cebu, Zamboanga, MS Marikina, Libjo Batangas, Baras Rizal, Ateneo and Pasig.

Two foreign teams – Lakidende of Indonesia and Chikara of Brunei – have also signified their intention to join the event.

Registration is ongoing with deadline set on Monday.

The tournament is divided into Open and Club divisions which both feature the men’s and women’s categories.

Play will be a single round-robin format with the champion receiving P30,000.

“The Summer Grand Slam provides a playing venue to players in and outside the Philippines to showcase and develop their softball skills. Mounting softball events like Summer Grand Slam is one of Asaphil’s way to also promote softball in the country. We really believe that softball is a sport for Filipinos,” said Asaphil president Jean Henri Lhuillier.