LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES. The Negros First Juniors softball team led by coach Roselle Hulleza wins against Australia in the Asia-Pacific Regional Softball Championship in Singapore to earn the right to represent the Philippines in the 2018 Little League World Series in Kirkland, Washington. (Photo from Little League Asia Pacific Region Office Facebook Page)
BACOLOD CITY -- The two Negros First softball teams earned a ticket to the 2018 Little League World Series anew after winning in the finals of the Asia-Pacific Regional Softball Championship in Singapore on Sunday.
The matches were played at the United World College of South East Asia field starting June 29.
In the Majors (11 to 12 years old), the Negrenses sealed their finals victory with a 20-0 drubbing of Singapore.
The team, coached by Lizviminda Jalandoni, will represent the Philippines anew in the World Series this coming August 8 to 15 at Alpenrose Stadium in Portland, Oregon. They finished fifth last year.
The Juniors (13 to 14 years old), mentored by Roselle Hulleza, beat Australia, 10-0, to again compete in the World Series in Kirkland, Washington, where they settled for second place last year.
Hulleza on Monday said the teams will return home on Tuesday and are expected to arrive in Bacolod in the afternoon.
On her Facebook post, Hulleza thanked God for “hearing our prayers to win against a very strong opponent, Australia 10-0.”
Hulleza also acknowledged the assistance of officials of the Province of Negros Occidental and the City of Bacolod.
Both the provincial and the city governments provided financial aids of PHP500,000 each for the teams.
Veteran softball coach Antonio Oquindo served as consultant of the teams. (PNA)
