22
22
Philippine Showbiz Today
October March 22 - 22 November - April 7 , 7 , 2018 2017
Softball
Lady Falcons are champs again
Adamson University softball coach Ana Santiago only aimed for a place in the title playoff , but her Lady Falcons did more than that .
Playing behind a curve-throwing pitcher Lyca Basa and a recharged batting order , the Lady Falcons shutout the University of Santo TomasTigresses , 6-0 , to retain the UAAP women ’ s softball plum for a record eight straight time yesterday at the Rizal Memorial ballpark .
The 21-year-old Basa , the latest of the many products of Bacolod City ’ s Domingo Lacson National High School , had the Tigresses ’ batters at the palm of her hands , limiting the enemies to measly three hits in a seven inning tour of duty at the mound .
While the 5-foot-6 looked imposingly 10-feet tall up the hill , her teammates , led by shortstop Edna Severino , complimented her efforts with 10 off the country ’ s no . 1 hurler Mary Ann Antolihao as the Lady Falcons completely dominated on both ends of the fields .
Severino , whom Santiago uprooted from ninth and last was elevated to no . 2 in her offensive rotation , batted a perfect 1,000 at the box , ripping Antolihao with a pair of singles , a two-base-hit and a triple in driving in three runs , half of Adamson ’ s total output .
Joining Severino in the team ’ s revised murderers ’ row was third basegirl Nicole Padasas , who went two-of-four times at bat in driving in
Eight-division boxing champion , now Senator , Manny Pacquiao has filed Senate Resolution No 688 directing the Senate Committee on Sports to conduct in aid of legislation an inquiry on the current sad state of the Rizal Sports Complex and other sports facilities in the country .
In sponsorship speech delivered last Tuesday , Pacquiao seeks the help of his fellow legislators in the Upper
two of her teammates home .
Santiago , now acknowledged as the country ’ s winningest mentor , admitted she a started revising her batting lineup in Game 2 of the best of-three gold medal series , which the Lady Falcons won , 8-5 , following a 3-4 loss in the opener .
“ We haven ’ t really connecting since the tournament last month having to compete with a depleted lineup due to graduation of our mainstays last year . So I told myself bakit hindi ako mag-experiment na baguhin ang batting order since we had already attained our goal to be in the finals . So , ginawa ko noong Game 2 at naging successful naman , nanalo kami to tie the series ,” Santiago revealed after her title victory , her 14th in the UAAP alone .
“ Three days from that Game 2-win , nag-isip ako kung ibabalik ko sa dati or itutuloy ko ang ploy . From last Saturday , I isolated myself from virtually the entire world thinking about it , “ Santiago said . “ Finally kahapon ( Monday ) I decided tom continue . At heto na nga , champion pa rin kami at eight-peat pa . “
“ Last night , I had a heart-toheart talk with the girls to perk them up . I told them na kung noong after the semifinals sinabi nnyo na mg ako ang inspirasyon ninyo kaya tayo pumasok sa finals , ngayon ang sasabihin ko sa inyo ay ito : kayo ang at ang maganda ninyong performance ang magiging inspirasyon ko para manalo uli ,” she said .
With a wide grin , Santiago added proudly , “ natutuhan ko ang mga motivating words of wisdom na yan kay coach Boy .” In reference to her maestro both as player and as a bench tactitian , the late baseball / softball legend Filomeno “ Boy ” Codinera .
So dominating was Basa at the mound she retired all the UST hitters that crossed her path in 1-2-3 order in the first three innings , allowing Tigress Celestine Palma on board in the fourth frame on a wild pitch and centerfielder Cristy Joy Roa on baseon-balls . She left both stranded on
Pacquiao files Senate Resolution
Chamber to address the lack of sustainable facilities , which , he said , is the reason that hinders the Filipino athletes in their quest for honor and fame for the country and themselves in the global arena , including the Olympics .
“ We should not allow his lack of required facilities to continue . As legislators , we should contribute ours best efforts in helping our athletes and sports officials achieve bigger dream ,” the only man on earth to win world championships in the flyweight , super-bantamweight , featherweight , super-featherweight , lightweight , junior welterweight , welterweight and super-welterweight , said .
“ Filipinos have been making a mark in the global arena because of our unmistakable passion for sports ,” he said . “ However , the state of the different sports facilities in the country shows that sports do not rank on the top of our priority list .”
Pacquiao stressed the need to correct this situation , sports being a necessary program for the development of the holistic health of the citizens . “ If Filipinos are known globally in sports despite the limitations , imagine the possibilities if we rectify the situation .”
bases .
Basa , who struckout five Tigresses either swinging or standing surrendered a pair of singles in the seventh and last frame but like the other two whom she boarded , she fanned them out in a brilliant double play with the help of Severino herself .
“ Walang tumama ,” a dejected UST mentor Sandy Barredo could only murmur after losing anew the title for the third straight time . “ Magpapahinog na naman tayo ng player next year . Lahat siguro dapat mag-tryout muki . Sala na akong isiseed .”
After the smoke of battle was extinguished , Basa ’ s stingy pitching saw her throwing a total 72 pitches , 50 of them strikes and 22 balls . Antolihao , in contrast , had 98 pitches , 67 strikes and 31 balls . ●
“ Mr . President , if we expect our athletes to excel in the global platform , we need to give more than what we have already given them ,” the former two-time congressman asserted .
“ Kailangan po nating magtulungan upang mabigyan ng tamang solusyon ang mga problema na pumipigil sa pag-arangkada ng pag-asenso ng ating mga atleta , “ he said .
Pacquiao recalled that when he visited the 1934-built RMSC December last year , he was surprised seeing the same things that already existed when he used to train at the ame place in the 80s without improvements .
“ Teen-ager pa lang ako noon , Mr . President . Doon po ako nagtraining ng boxing . Doon po nabuo ang aking mga pangarap , “ he reminisced . “ Sira-sira na po ang aming mga gamit sa training at hindi na rin maayos and mga pasilidad .”
“ Noong ako ay bumisita pagkatapos ng maraming taon , wala po akong nakitang improvements . Mas lalong kalunos-lunos ang kalagayan . Nakakalungkot , “ he observed .
“ Saan tayo nakakita ng worldclass divers na sa kutson nagdidive ? Ng world-class athletes na sa sirasirang punching bag sumusuntok ? Nagtitiis sa mga sira-sira at bulok na mga pasilidad and mga nais magbigay ng karangalan sa ating bayan .”
“ Yet we aspire for that Olympic gold . Pababayaan na lang ba natin na mas lalong mabulok and pasilidad ? Pababayaan na lang ba natin ang ating mga atletang magtiyaga sa init at kalawang kahit na iniaalay nila ang kanilang sarili para sa karangalan ng ating bansa ? ●
- Eddie G . Alinea ( Wendell Alinea / OSMP photo )
It pays to advertise …
Call 604-588-6397 or email
info @ philippinenewstoday . com for all of your advertising