World Series champs confident to repeat

Team Manila Head Coach Ana Santiago believes there is no reason for them to repeat as Big League World Series champions even if there are only three members of last year’s winning squad left on the team.

"Skills-wise mas may advantage kami ngayon compared to last year’s team. Six of my 15 players are pitchers who can also play different positions,” said Santiago.

"They are quick and at the same time, seven are all power hitters. We are better prepared this time at kaya namin mag to repeat as champions. Balanced ang team kaya confident ako na makukuha namin.”

"The only problem I see is how will my players react to the pressure of playing at the international level,” added the Adamson mentor, who tagged California, Michigan, and Puerto Rico as the teams to beat in the 2013 Big League Softball World Series from Agust 4 to 10 in Sussex County, Delaware.

Santiago, who steered the Adamson Lady Falcons to a third straight and 12th overall University Athletic Associaton of the Philippines softball crown last season, said they are better prepared this time compared to last year’s difficult journey to win the title.

"Maganda ang naging story namin last year. We were short on funds kaya palipat lipat kami just to get to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Tapos hindi din kumpleto pag dating namin and then we lost our first two games [against California and Latin America].,” said Santiago.

The Asia-Pacific representatives never dropped a match after that and went on to beat the six other teams to finish second after the elimination round where they defeated opening-game tormentor West of District 37 California in the finals, 14-2.

Now, the team is defending its title with the backing of global port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc., Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, and Vice Mayor Isko Moreno with the Philippine Sports Commission providing the allowances for all the players.

"Kahit galing sila sa iba’t ibang team I know how to transform them into playing as one team. Aside from the practices, training, and tune-up games, we allot a time to bond para mabuo ang closeness ng team,” said Santiago.

Queeny Sabobo—who has recently been crowned the Most Valuable Player, Home Run Queen, and Best Slugger in the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines’ regional qualifying— is expected to lead the team’s offense with Baby Jane Raro stepping up as the starting pitcher.

Adamson’s Krisna Paguican, Lorna Adorable, Angelica Ursabia, Gelyn Lamata, and Rosalyn Boston; University of Santo Tomas’ Jonalyn Almonia, Mary Ann Antolinao, Mary Louise Garde, Hazel Anque and Rachel Ann Secor; Agape Llave of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Ateneo’s Adrianna Mei Uy and National University’s Whell Ghene Camra.

Estanislao Torres, who is also Santiago’s assistant at Adamson, and UST’s Sandy George Barredo are the other members of the coaching staff.

The team will be leaving for Delaware on Wednesday to acclimatize themselves and study Layton Field in Delaware where they will face Canada in the first game on August 5.

Little League, after 33 years, decided to move the competition from Kalamazoo, Michigan to Delaware this year.

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