Phiten-Air Force takes charge in softball series

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning national softball champion Phiten-Air Force took the early lead in the inaugural fall season of Softball Pilipinas with back to back wins over different opponents last Saturday at the Rosario Sports Complex in Pasig, even as RTU shared the lead when it took the opening game over Globe Asiatique-G.A. Realtors in a game that extended to nine innings.

National team mainstay Junifer Pinero played the hero’s role as he scored the winning run in the fourth innning as the Airmen trounced LBC Hari ng Padala, 2-1, in the tournament presented by Cebuana Lhuillier and sponsored by LBC.

Phiten-Air Force then overpowered Forward Taguig 9-2 in the third and final game highlighted by a four-run splurge by the Airmen in the second inning.

In the first game, RTU Blue Thunder’s Jerry Balba scooted home on a sacrifice fly by Gelmart Hake Llao in the ninth inning to beat Globe Asiatique-G.A. Realtors, 8-7.

 Asaphil president Jean Henri Lhuillier pitched the cermonial ball to kick off the coiuntry’s first semi-pro softball league.

‘“We have been talking for a long time about forming this first semi-professional softball league here and now it is a reality, and with this, we can look forward to achieving our dream of beating Japan in the next Asian championship,” said Lhuillier.

The league resumes on Sunday with a four-game bill featuring Forward Taguig against Globe-Asiatique-G.A. Realtors in the first game and against the RTU Blue Thunder in the second match.