Zambo clinches softball crown

Zamboanga finally won its first major championship, ruling the All-Filipino Softball championships at the Talavera National High School field here by beating host Bulacan, 8-5.

The Zamboanguenos were all over the playing field all day last Sunday, rising from the grave by winning three games to reach the final.

"Thank God for giving us this first ever championship in many years," said manager Lando Navarro after his team’s dramatic triumph over the squad many thought would clinch the crown after topping the elimination round. That feat gave the Bulakenos the top position in the page-system Final Four.

The Zamboanguenos, who could only finish third in the elimination, had to hurdle University of Mindanao of Davao City, 5-3, and Army, 5-2, to earn a crack at the title against Bulacan.

The Bulakenos beat Army, 6-2, to get into the title match.

Joel Binarao, the Zamboanga right fielder who booked a total four home runs for the day – one against UM and three against Army – again presided over his team’s title quest with a five-run binge at the top of the fifth inning. He was later adjudged the Most Valuable Player in the men’s play , an honor that could have gone to losing pitcher Marciano Santa Maria.