Sagay City’s U16 Softball players were honored by the city government, the House of Representatives, and the Philippine Sports Commission after their victory at the 2024 PONY Girls Under-16 International World Series in Texas.
The House of Representatives recognized their outstanding achievement during their regular session at the Batasang Pambansa on Tuesday, Aug. 20.
Sagay City’s U16 Softball players also paid courtesy visits to House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Rep. Alfredo “Thirdy” Maranon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd District), Rep. Yedda Romualdez (Tingog Party-list), Rep. Sandro Marcos (Ilocos Norte, 1st District) and Rep. Richard Gomez (Leyte, 4th District), a press release from Sagay City said Wednesday, August 21.
Marañon lauded the winning team for their exceptional achievement, citing the immense pride they brought to Sagay City, Negros Occidental, and the entire Philippines.
The team also visited the Philippine Sports Commission office where they were honored by the commission led by Chairman Richard Bachmann at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.
PSC honored Nadine Pajotal, the team’s star pitcher, for being the Most Valuable Player of the World Series.
Last week, the team was greeted by Sagaynons in a motorcade around the major streets of Sagay on Aug. 15. They then paid a courtesy call on Mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr. and Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva, where they received a P100,000 cash incentive.
Cueva said he is truly proud of the U16 softball athletes as they bring home honor and pride to Sagay City, and he hopes that the girls will continue their outstanding achievements in international competitions.
He also urged the City Sports Coordinator Benson Fernandez to support and look after the athletes so that they will be inspired to keep on improving their skills.
Also present during the courtesy call were Sagay City Councilors Rodnel de los Reyes, Felisa de la Cruz, Perfecto Marañon, Sherwin Sy, and Lura Javelosa, and SK Federation President Marnielyn Marco.
The U16 Girls Softball athletes are composed of Christine Jane Caracas, Jacey Nadine Pajotal, Janin Pajotal, Princess Mazee Torre, Layle Balladjay, Krystal Chelsea Lobaton, Joylyn Caballero, Zoe Joy Pasco, Francheska Manalo, Kayla Cisneros, Sacha Zalamea, Hailey Fermatt, Raleighn Chung, Liana Lopez, Julia Dixon, and Kathleen Enriquez.
Their local coaches are Josie Sebunga, Sarah Caracas, Marciano Sta.Maria, Neelyn Pajotal, US-based officials Reynaldo Fuentes, Rodgen Dolorito, Renato Fuentes, and Nelsa Delagente, and technical officials Benson Fernandez, Angel Verdeflor, Loued Lachica, Jezreel Alingco, Valerie Javelosa, Jun Fuentesfina, and Jomari Katalbas.
The team was declared champion in the U16 Division of the World Series besting eight other teams.
In their campaign at the competition, they remained undefeated.
Javelosa also said that with this victory, he hopes that more Sagaynons will be inspired to play softball and baseball and assured the city government’s support to grassroots sports development.*