By Mc Rliz Cloma
Photos by Kim Dela Cruz
CPU-led Western Visayas Softball team once again struck gold in the 59th National Private Schools Athletic Association Games held at Cebu City on April 22-28.
Composed of the Central Philippine University Softball Team core players, Western Visayas softball team defended successfully the championship they won last year in Zamboanga City.
Key to the softball team’s championship victory was defeating Region 10 in the final match on April 26 at Labangon Elementary School Softball Diamond.
The win enabled the Western Visayas Soft belles to duplicate the feat they achieved in last year’s national PRISAA in Zamboanga City.
This was sweet victory for Region 6 (Western Visayas) after they hurdled two games from powerhouse teams.
On April 25, a loss from Region 11 posed a challenge to their championship campaign. Resolved to defend their golden crown, the CPU Softball Team recovered from their loss by beating CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region), Bracket B’s number 1 seed, in the crossover semi-finals.
Winning the crossover semi-finals
With a 0–9 regulation loss against Region 11 in their bracket’s final game on April 25th, the Region 6 Softball team showed what a champion’s heart is made of. The Western Visayas team did not bring any emotional baggage from their previous regulation loss versus Region 11.
Showing brilliant strategy, playing good defense and tricky long and small ball offenses, Region 6 shocked CAR with 18-4 win in morning of April 26. CAR’s topping bracket B failed to weaken Region 6 determination to go for the gold. CAR softball team is last year’s national PRISAA runner up.
CPU Softball Team’s semi-final game with CAR softball team started slow until the 3rd inning. CAR had scored 4 runs against the lone Western Visayas home run courtesy of shortstop Cristine Sebuan.
Tightening defense, Region 6 held CAR scoreless in the 3rd inning until the game was over. Imposing different offensive strategies and almost perfect defense left CAR guessing Western Visayas softball team’s offensive plays in the remaining innings.
Central Philippine University’s Softball program and training proved effective during very tight innings and critical situations in the semi-final game. In the 6th inning, Region 6 scored 11 runs using bunts and medium ball placements.
Ma. Kristine Gulfan led Region 6 in the offensive end with 4 Runs-Batted-In (RBI) and the same number of hits. In the defensive side, pitcher Jergen Penafiel displayed maturity in delivering consistent pitches resulting to 6 standing outs in seven innings.
Beating and clobbering CAR softball team with overwhelming margin, Region 6 was headed to their second consecutive championship game against Region 10 in the afternoon of April 26.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Read how Central Philippine University Softball Team won the Championship in our next post!
CPU DERECHO 
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