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Thursday, April 28, 2005
Guagua little leaguers join Philippine series
By Chris Navarro
GUAGUA -- After months of training, 25 boys belonging to the Guagua Little League team will be seeing action on Friday as they go up against other teams from different provinces in the opening of the Little League Philippine Series (LLPS) National Championship being held in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.
Eric Thompson, president of Pampanga West Little League, said that the LLPS is the Philippine counterpart of the international organization, Little League.
Thompson said that the Guagua team, consisting of boys ages 11 to 12 years old, will vie for a chance to represent the country in the Asia Pacific regional finals to be held in Japan.
"They will play against teams as far as Negros Islands and Ilocos. The winning team in the national level will then represent the country in the Asian Pacific regional Final," Thompson said.
Councilor Divine David-Tulio said poverty should not be a hindrance in pursuing sports development for the youth.
Tulio said through the concerted efforts of the Municipal Government, Sanggunian Bayan, barangay captains and initiative of Second District Representative Mikey Arroyo, the young players acquired their baseball equipment.
Tulio added that financial assistance were also given by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), Pampanga Mayors League (PML), municipal government, SB, barangay council and league associations of this town.
She said, in previous tournaments, the team failed to hone their "God-given talents" because of lack of financial support, adding that with the help of sponsors, the little league is now ready to compete in national and international competitions.
Team coach Ariel Galvez said the team has a 80 percent-winning chances in the provincial level.
In 1996, the little league team here, a combination of players from the East and West, bagged the silver medal in the World Series held in Portland, Oregon. They, again, won two 2nd-place awards in 1998 and 1999 in Calamasu.
Galvez reminded the players to maintain "mental and physical fitness," saying that body conditioning is very important.
Head coach of the contingent would be Carlos Sto. Domingo. He will be assisted by trainors Marlon Batac, Mark Galvez, team representative Lody Valencia, and supported by Guagua Association of Barangay Captains (ABC) president Angelo Layug.
(April 28, 2005 issue)
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