By HERBERT VEGO
ILOILO City — Young softbelles from Zarraga, Iloilo had hoped to break their winless streak by besting the Europe-Africa team from the Czech Republic in the week-long Little League Softball World Series in Portland, Oregon, USA.
But they lost, 7-4, in Wednesday’s game.
While the Iloilo team made a homerun in the second inning, two in the fifth and one in the sixth, the opponent did one each in the first, third and sixth innings.
What wiped out the Ilonggas’ last chance of bringing home a win record was the Czechs’ four homeruns in the fifth inning.
To recall, the Iloilo team — representing not only the Philippines but the Asia-Pacific region — missed their first two scheduled games on August 7 and 8 and thus lost to USA-West (California) and USA-East (New Jersey), respectively.
It arrived in Oregon just in time for their match against Canada on Saturday but lost.
They also lost their next games against USA-Southwest (Louisiana) and finally against Europe/Africa (Czech Republic).
Iloilo province had donated P200,000 for their United States trip.
The team had requested for a million pesos, but the Commission on Audit turned this down.
Comprising 11- to 12-year-old schoolgirls, the Iloilo/Philippine team had gained the right to represent the Asia-Pacific region when it emerged champion in the Asia-Pacific Regional Championships in Angeles City in April, besting 51 other softball teams from 16 countries.
Its members were Jaimalyn Ambong, Sheah Rendo, Mae Langga, Royebel Palma, Shymie Sarayno, Kathy Nueva, Irish Tagolimot, Xyka Balintogo, Ajhe Giron, Kate Nueva, and Marivic Lagarto./PN
