TEAM Manila got back at group stage tormentor Texas Futures with a 3-0 shutout to score back-to-back championships in the girls’ U-18 Pony World Series at the Municipal Park grounds in McAllen, Texas.
The Filipina softbelles lost to the same team in the group phase, 2-0, but evened things out in the semis with a 1-0 win, before outclassing their rivals from West Texas softball organization in the finals.
Texas Futures beat out RGV Pride in the playoffs, 4-2, to arrange the title showdown with Team Manila.
Team Manila asserts superiority
Coached by Ana Santiago and Sheirylou Valenzuela, the team topped the same tournament last year via an eight-game sweep.she
The team also duplicated the feat it did in 2017 and 2018 prior to the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Manila.
On its way to the semis, the Filipinas drubbed Las Mochis-Ahome twice (7-2. 11-3), Force Fastpitch (6-1), lost to Texas Futures (0-2), but bounced back with wins over Nogales-Nogalense (6-2), and Glory Atkins Bejar (10-9), for a 5-1 (win-loss) slate in Pool Four.
Photo: Team Manila FB page
Members of the team include pitchers Mary Joy Alpitche, catcher Katherine Ditchon, Katrice Ditchon (second base/pitcher), Jax Katiana Efrain Fontillas (third base), Thereze Francine Fuentes (second base), Zarene Mapa (second base/outfield), Pilar Isabel Oblea (outfield/first base), Jhaycel Roldan (centerfield), Kenchie Tan (shortstop), and Khazea Audrey Valenzuela (outfield).
Team Manila president Rafael ‘Che’ Borromeo headed the delegation to the week-long, 20-team tournament.
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