Manila Softbelles bring home World Series crown

HEMET, California—Team Manila–Philippines trounced defending champion Central Hemet Xplozion, 7–1, to win the 2017 Pony International 18-U Girls Softball World Series crown at Diamond Valley Park in the Valley-Wide Recreation District here.

Pitcher Alma Tauli, the 16-year-old native of Norzagaray, Bulacan, capped her dazzling performance with five strike outs and six no run innings as the Philippines ruled the event for the first time.

Team Manila’s scoring assault started at the top of the first inning with centerfield Christine Bautista and designated hitter Shaina Camacho scoring two runs off an RBI by right fielder Khrisha Cantor to complete a two-run hit play.

But it was short stop Nichole Padasas, the 18-year-old from Adamson and member of Team Manila-Philippines to the 2015 Big League World Series, who silenced the crowd after blasting a huge homerun, her second in the series, to put Team Manila ahead, 3–0 at the top of the second inning.

At the top of the fourth, Bautista hit another homerun and was followed by a three–run hit play by Cantor, the 18-year-old student of Adamson, scoring Bautista, Camacho and third baseman Madaelene Dumaog for a commanding 6–0 lead.

Central Hemet scored a homerun at the bottom of the fourth, but Tauli delivered a couple of strike outs and the Softbelles put up several defensive stops to seal the outcome.

“The girls deserve the win because we were able to keep our composure and were not intimidated by the defending champions so our errors were limited,” said head coach Ana Santiago.

According to Manila Softball president Rafael “Che” Borromeo, Team Manila, backed by Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI), is being invited by the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles.

Rodolfo Tingzon Sr., founder of Pony in the Philippines and Boy Tingzon, the current Pony director for Asia Pacific, said Team Manila became the first Philippine team and Asia for that matter to rule the competition.

Team Manila also won the crown in the 2012 Big League 18-U World Series.