UNIVERSITY of the Cordilleras Jaguars claimed another diadem, annexing their fifth crown in the 23rd Baguio - Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBeal) softball competitions during the weekend.
The Lady Jaguars trumped the Saint Louis University Lady Navigators in the diamond, 13-1, in a lopsided contest, romping away with the championship and claiming their fifth crown in as many years.
"We were unbeaten during the eliminations and at the same time the players are all veterans," said UC softball team coach Joel Panes in an interview.
The Jaguars were up by nine points in the third inning when three of the Lady Jaguars scored successive homeruns to up their lead by 12, with 12 - 0 on the score board.
SLU took the first runner-up plum after bowing to the Governor Pack-based batters while Benguet State University settled for second runner-up honors.
"Our team will still be good for two more championships," Panes said, citing the core of the team will still be intact when the 24th season of the annual collegiate tournament resumes next August.
Meanwhile, Panes said the team's focus right now is to win in the upcoming Commission on Higher Education National Games slated this February.
Competition would be tough in the Ched Palaro, Panes said, after the Jaguars earned the right to represent the Cordillera region for the tertiary games.
"Ang malakas namin na kalaban would be Rizal Technological Institute (NCR) tsaka yung sa Davao," Panes told Sun.Star Baguio.
"Pero this year malaki ang tsansa natin na makapasok sa finals," added Panes.
The revival of the Ched National Games for tertiary athletes is an aftermath of the recent signing of a memorandum of agreement among Ched representatives, the Private Schools Athletics Association (Prisaa), and the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (Scuaa) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
The agreement aims to create an integrated sports development program that will pave the way to discover talented collegiate athletes from the provinces. This year's theme is "Forging Bonds for the Uplifting of Higher Education and Sports in Philippine Society."