ADAMSON launched its title-retention bid in the Women’s Open in style by blanking West Indonesia, 5-0, yesterday in the Cebuana-Lhuillier Summer Grandslam 6 National Softball Championships at the sprawling Clark Field Parade Grounds in Pampanga.
The Lady Falcons put the outcome beyond doubt by scoring three runs in the sixth inning after posting a run each in the first and fourth frames.
It was Brunei team Kensei and Philippine Navy that provided the drama on opening day with the foreign team coming from behind to prevail, 5-3, after 10 innings in the Men’s Open.
Edwin Mercado drove home Sherwin Tabar, who had earlier smashed a run-scoring single in the 10th.
Dark horse Philippine Army shared the early lead with Kensai after a 5-2 win over West Java.
Ilao powers Armymen
Gilmart Ilao scored three runs, including two in the pivotal third inning to power Army in the annual week-long tournament sponsored by Cebuana Pera Padala, Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions, Just Jewels, Cebuana Lhuillier Bank, Le Soleil de Boracay, Phiten, TJ Hotdogs, Purefoods Chicken Nuggets, Smokey’s Sausages, Hungry Juan, and Department of Tourism’s Region 3.
In the club division, Angeles City overpowered Ateneo Coaches, 6-1, in the men’s event, even as National Capital Region women’s team split its first two games, losing to Polytechnic University of the Philippines, 3-7, before overcoming Tarlac City, 8-4.
The opening ceremony was graced by CDC executive vice president Philip Jose Panlilio. He joined Asaphil secretary general Danny Francisco in making the ceremonial pitches.
“(Clark Field) is a perfect venue for softball and we would like to thank CDC for being our partner in this year’s National Softball Open championships,” said Francisco.
A total of 30 men’s and women’s teams are playing in the tournament that is featuring for the first time a national club division championship. Cedelf P. Tupas