Team Manila softbelles confident of strong showing

MANILA, Philippines — Armed with experience, Team Manila-Philippines expressed confidence of a strong showing in the 2014 World Series Girls Big League Softball Championship in Sussex, Delaware starting on Sunday.

With most of the players in the squad toughened by past games in the prestigious tournament, the Manila softbelles are expected to figure prominently in the title chase.

As representative of the Asia-Pacific region, Manila captured the World Series crown in 2012 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They finished fourth last year when the tournament was transferred to Delaware, where the hosts took top honors.

But as in past tournaments, the team has encountered another hitch with the delay of the release of the US visas of five of the 15 players.

Manila Little League Philippines president Rafael “Che” Borromeo is hoping the rest of the team get their visas by Aug. 1 so they could link up with the squad before the start of the tournament.

Catcher Roxzell Pearl Niloban, pitcher Mary Ann Antolihao, Cristy Joy Roa, and Lovely Dyan Arago are all hoping to make the trip.

“The worse scenario is if they don’t get their visa on Aug. 1, they might not push through with the trip,” Borromeo said.

With a complete squad, Borromeo believes the team will be a force in the tournament.

“We’ve consistently played well in the tournament,” said Borromeo, a former Manila councilor, who’s now a senior executive assistant to the Office of Manila Mayor.

“We’ll be stronger with a complete lineup,” added Borromeo  at the PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.