Former RP hurlers bag MVP awards

MANILA, Philippines - Pitchers Sonny Boy Acuna of Air Force and Gedda Valencia of the Pampanga Legends took the top individual honors in their respective divisions in the recent Cebuana Lhuillier National Open softball championships at the Rosario Sports Complex.

Acuna, 36, and a Philippine Blu Boy since 2001 until he was cut off two years ago, proved he still got what it takes as he steered the Airmen to their third National Open title to bag the MVP plum.

The 25-year-old Valencia, who failed to make the cut in the RP Blu Girls lineup last year, was adjudged the best performer in the distaff side of the event in the tournament organized by the Amateur Softball Association-Philippines.

Both Acuna and Valencia, a top hurler for UST eight years ago, manned the mound for 13 innings each during Friday’s rain-hit semifinal round and the championship playoffs. The Airmen beat Taguig City, 7-3, in only six innings for the title.

The Legends, a team built around former collegiate players, routed many-time UAAP champion Adamson University, 10-2, also in an abbreviated six-inning encounter.

ASA-Phil president Jean Henri Lhuillier paid tribute the tournament’s best performers and all the 27 teams that competed in the series backed by Pera Padala, Phiten, Le Soleil de Boracay, Just Jewels and Mizuno.

In winning the MVP, Acuna bested Air Force teammate Marciano Sta. Maria, who pitched one of only two no-hit, no-run, no-error games in the tournament. Sta. Maria, the acting Mayor of San Rafael, Bulacan, was named Best Pitcher.

Valencia edged women’s division Best Pitcher awardee Cloiene Muyco of Adamson and long-time UST teammate Esmeralda Tayag.

Muyco bagged the Best Pitcher Award.