10 CEBUANOS MAKE TRAINING POOL FOR U18, U15 PHL TEAMS

10 players from first-time national championship participants ANS, SCSIT selected for national training pool for softball’s U15, U18 teams

Ten softball players from Cebu are in the shortlist of candidates for the U-18 and U-15 national teams after gracing the 2017 Cebuana Lhuillier-Asaphil 18-Under National Women’s Softball Championship in Marikina City about two weeks ago.

The players are from Abellana National School (ANS) and Salazar Colleges-Science Institute of Technology (SC-SIT), who competed for the first time in the tournament.

The players included in the shortlist are April Anne Dela Cerna, Jethel Daño, Ariane Alexis Parame, Rizzterlyn Amplayo, and Kryssa Raper from ANS and Jude Marie Ferrer, Maria Kristina Yap, April Rose Palanga, Jenny Lou Magalyon and Vanessa Bacarisas from SCSIT.

Despite being new in the competition, SC-SIT and ANS showed valiant effort against top-tier teams as SC-SIT finished with a 5-3 win loss slate, while ANS posted a 3-2 card.

“These players are invited to be part of the selection in Luzon. They will join the other candidates from various teams. The coaches from the national team will select players that will be part of the U- 18 and U- 15,” said ANS softball coach Jackson Genolaga.

SC-SIT coach Isiot Bacarisas said that the players’ chances to make the final cut isn’t sure but he is happy that the players will get a chance to prove themselves in the selection.

“The players have to play well in the selection so that the coaches will notice them,” said Bacarisas, who added that the players in the U18 and U15 will get the chance to represent the country in international events this year.

After playing in the Asaphil 18-Under National Women’s Softball Championship for the first time, both coaches agreed that it gave the players the needed exposure.

“Playing in Luzon was a big difference, we need that kind of exposure because there are only a few tournaments here,” said Genolaga. “We’re thankful to the Cebu City Sports Commission and Cebu City Government for sending us to Marikina City.”

“It was a good exposure for the young players. SC-SIT’s administration is very supportive on the girls’ softball team and we’re thankful for sending us in the national tournament,” said Bacarisas. /

(SUNSTAR FILE) A FIGHTING CHANCE. After impressing the field in their first attempt at the national championships, five players from ANS (above) and another five from SCSIT will get the chance to fight for spots for the national youth teams.