UPLB defends crown in C Lhuillier slo pitch

MANILA, Philippines - UP Los Baños seeks its second straight crown when the Cebuana Lhuillier Alumni Slo-pitch Softball League kicks off its 10th season Sunday at the International School Field in Taguig.

Led by playing coach Armand Bantoc, Baron Alqueza, Donald de Padua, asst. vice chancellor Pidz Agsibit and Louie Cabrera, UPLB is out to retain its supremacy in the annual alumni slo-pitch softball tournament backed by Cebuana Lhuillier.

Out to foil UPLB’s title-retention bid are La Salle, Ateneo, International School, University of the Philippines and National University, which is making a comeback after a long absence.

La Salle will be led by Leslie Suntay, Joseph Orillana, Mike Ochosa, Bernie Gapuz and Raoul Recto while Alex Tolome, Nikko Dizer, Chad Garcia, Em Fernandez, Patricia Cusi and Ricky Gumaru banner the Ateneo batters.

ISM coach Alex Petanja is expected to lean again on speed and hustle of his young crew even as the returning NU clouters hope to bank on coach Ricky Hortaleza and Jeff Rebustillo.

Spicing up the tournament is the debut of the mixed coed and girls division composed of La Salle, ISM girls varsity and ISM Team B.

Favored to win are the Lady Archers to be led by Carrie Ong Tan, Karen Celerio Guevarra, Andrea Aurelio and Nadine Lacsamana.