HUNGRY kids over experienced batters.
This was how newcomer Silay-Youth team notched its first victory in the ongoing 2nd Silay City Softball Invitational Games over the weekend at the Lonoy Ballpark in Silay City, Negros Occidental.
Against the more experienced Bacolod team, the young home-squad made history with an upset win over the defending champion Fuentes Lines last Sunday, 4-1.
The Bacolod-based veterans mentored by Reynaldo ‘Guy” Fuentes, who just booked a double victory in the recently-concluded Philippine Series of the Little League of the Philippines, displayed their savvy in the opening inning. Rodgen Dolorito scorws a run by taking advantage of every opportunity available – beating all guards at base.
The Silay squad, however, defied odds and held the defending champions scoreless in the next three innings - including the upper third. Celso Capablanca and John Ray Gonzalez scored double to book a surprising 2-1 lead in the game.
Fuentes tried to make a comeback in the fifth and sixth but came out short, while a Jeffrey Belgera-groundball – which passed through first baseman Fuentes, gave Gonzales and Jayson Cordero two more runs.
Silay-Youth head coach Arnie Mitra said that their victory over Fuentes Lines, is a character booster for his team. “We never expect to win. All we wanted is that the team to play at its best and learn from their opponents. But with this victory, our confidence went higher – and to think we have beaten the best team in the tournament. The boys’ spirits are high. Now, they are optimistic to beat other teams,” he stressed.
Meanwhile the Silay Seniors also scored a victory over another Bacolod-based team Caspe, 7-4.
Organizer Adolf Ledesma said that with this second edition of the tournament, it opened huge opportunity not only to promote softball in Silay but also to provide avenue to discover new breed of players from the city.
“We are very thankful with the support of the City Government of Silay under Mayor Jose ‘Oti’ Montelibano, Don Ramon Locsin and Judith Gallego. Without them, there’s no way that this tournament pushes through,” he added.
Ledesma said that the next scheduled games will return to E. Lopez Ballpark where other teams seeing action like Manapla Team of Condrado Andrias and Talisay City Team of Mayor Eric Saratan will pit talents against the best.
Raffle prizes are given away to lucky attendees during the games.