The Philippines’ all-women softball team plays an exhibition game with Fil-Ams during their stopover in Southern California. HIYASMIN QUIJANO
CERRITOS, California—Ever since the Philippines began sending an all-female softball team for World Series competition, the Filipino community has made sure their “stateside” experience is a pleasant one.
Most of the team’s players aged out (age limit is 18 and under) after winning the first World Series title for the Philippines and Asia-Pacific last year.
Anna Santiago, who has been a coach for the softball team since 2001, said, “We brought new players this year.” She cited the challenge of international pressure for new team members.
The host team, Delaware, was their Waterloo, in a close game with a score of 0-1 in favor of Delaware, which won the World Series title after defeating Latin America in the final game.
Every year the team and coach Santiago stop by Los Angeles to engage in the Filipino community.
The team had an exhibition game against a local Fil-Am team and enjoyed a heavy outdoor lunch with community organizers.
“It’s raining fruit!” said a player as everyone began to dig into a buffet style theme.
“There is enough to bring some back ‘home’ with you!” said a generous organizer of the luncheon.
Santiago expressed gratitude to the Adamson Alumni Association and the Filipino community for taking care of board and lodging expenses in Los Angeles.
Adamson Alumni Association of Southern California-USA, has enjoyed hosting the Philippine softball team since 2005.
“They deserve a treat from the Fil-Am community, it’s good to support these Filipino youth,” said Lilli Zalameda-Khan, Adamson Alumni.
Zalameda-Khan pointed out that some players come from families who are not financially stable in the Philippines.
“This might be their only chance to come to America, so every year we take them to Disneyland, Universal Studios and Knotts Berry Farm,” said Lucena Sakumoto, Adamson Alumni.
Some of their players returned to compete, top pitcher Baby Jane Raro, short stop Queeny Sabobo, and Krisna Paguican.
This year’s team got a feel of what others had to do in order to play against the “title holder”.
“This is my second year in this team. Our experience in this year’s World Series shows that we could improve on hitting,” said Paguican, on what happened against Delaware.
Krisna Paguican is the top hitter of the last POC-PSC Philippine National Games.
Raro, Sabobo and Paguican are all mainstays of Adamson University, which Santiago also coaches. Assistant coaches are Sandy Barredo and Estanislao Terronas.
The Philippines has a big chance next year to grab a second World Series Champion title.