Philippine university alumni athletes from the University of the Philippines Diliman and Los Baños (UPD, UPLB), Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), De La Salle University (DLSU), and Adamson University (Adamson) are returning to the field to play in the Alumni Slo-pitch Softball League’s (ASSL) first games after a 2-year hiatus.
ASSL 2020 champion team UPLB Tigers seeks to retain its title in the tournament to be played at the Manila Polo Club starting September 4, 2022. The 16th ASSL season winner UP Los Baños will parade championship-winning pitcher Dean Rowena Cardenas, Assistant Vice Chancellor Pidz Agsibit, Louie Cabrera, and Rodney Sagun.
This year’s 17th season of the country’s longest-running slow pitch league will also feature for the first time the many-time softball and baseball champion, Adamson University Soaring Falcons. Adamson will be led by multi-titled UAAP & Blu-Girls Coach Ana Santiago, baseball coach Jayson Santos and former national players Manuel and Ernie Binarao.
Season 16’s 1st runner-up winners NU Bulldogs will parade Baseball 5 national player Jessie Daquigan, baseball videographer Jeff Rebustillo, Jarius Onobio, and former Blu-girl Dyan Arago.
Season 16’s 2nd runner-up UP Diliman Fighting Maroons will be bannered by former national pitcher Darwin dela Calzada, slugger Gilbert Clanza, and Congressman Richard Gomez with veteran softball players Cathy Mariano and Alex Causapin on the distaff side.
DLSU has beefed up its roster with the meat of their 90s baseball champion team confirmed to play. Ex-national player Leslie Suntary, Bacchus Ledesma, and Jeff Rodriguez have all signed up for the Green Archers ably supported by Carrie Ong and Kim Amiado.
Dubbed as this year’s dark horse, the Ateneo Blu-batters will miss the services of Chad Garcia and RT de Jesus but have recruited former national player Melvin Villegas and Julius Visaya plus softball standouts Dane Zamudio, and Jean Ong.
The ASSL has announced that similar to the past 4 seasons, a coed format will be used where 5 males and 5 coeds will be on the field and will bat alternately.
“After a hiatus of 2 years due to the pandemic, I am surprised by the enthusiasm of the players. Representing one’s school colors once more is a natural high,” said ASSL Commissioner & ASAPHIL Officer Johnny Perlas.
While the action is expected to be intense, the ASSL will also offer a solemn tribute to its dearly departed comrades, ASSL co-founder from La Salle Mike Ochosa and UPLB Team Captain and coach Armand Bantoc who have both contributed immensely to the success of the league.
ASSL Season 17 is presented by Ateneo’s Tulong Sulong and Cebuana Lhuillier.
UPLB, UPD, and ADMU are playing in Group A while NU, DLSU, and Adamson are in Group B.
Following is the Tournament Schedule of the Alumni Slo-Pitch Softball League:
- September 4 Group A
8:00 UPD vs. ADMU
9:30. Opening Program “Angels in the Outfield”
10:00 ADMU. vs. UPLB
11:30 UPLB. vs. UPD - Sept 11 Group B
8:00. NU. vs. AdU
9:30. DLSU. vs. NU
11:00 AdU. vs. DLSU - Sept 18 Playoffs
G1 7:45 No. 3A. vs. No. 2B. KO
G2 9:15. No. 3B. vs. No. 2A. KO
G3 10:45 WG1. vs. No 1A. KO
G4 12:15 WG2. vs. No. 1B. KO
G5 1:45 WG3. vs. WG4. Finals
Alumni Slo-Pitch League of the Philippines returns to the field after a 2-year hiatus with alumni athletes from @UPLBOfficial @Official_UPD @ateneodemanilau @DLSUManila @adamson_u @NU_Bulldogs #slopitchleague #alumni in sports@GoodNewsPinas_https://t.co/p28CD10Py5 pic.twitter.com/uCvChiJA7F
— Angie Quadra-Balibay (@AngieQBalibay) September 2, 2022
SEND WELL WISHES in the comments below to the Philippine university alumni athletes playing in the Alumni Slo-Pitch Softball League’s first games after 2-year hiatus!
Good News Pilipinas is a Lasallian Scholarum Awardee. TELL US your good news story tips by messaging GoodNewsPilipinas.com on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or e-mail editor@goodnewspilipinas.com and WATCH Good News Pilipinas TV YouTube & Good News Pilipinas TikTok for more Filipino Pride stories!
