Zamboanga eyed as softball capital

MANILA, Philippines - Sportsman Junie Navarro is organizing the first Rolando Navarro Memorial Fastpitch Softball Invitational Cup to discover potential national players from the south.

Navarro, son of former Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (Asaphil) Zamboanga chapter president Rolando “Lando” Navarro, said he is eager to continue his father’s objective to make Zamboanga the country’s “Softball City.”

“Zamboanga has developed many great softball players since my father’s time ,” said Navarro.

The event, organized by tournament director Tony delos Reyes and Asaphil Zamboanga chapter president Joey Cruz, started last May 9 and ends July 22 at the Sta. Maria Elementary softball field.

Competing teams are Mampang Talontalon, Balikatan, Culianan, Boalan, Baluno, Tugbungan and Talabaan.     

The Zamboanga men’s softball team captured the 2003 National Softball Championship during the term of the elder Navarro.

“After this tourney, we are planning to hold more tournaments to discover talents,” said Navarro, claiming most members of the Philippine team, like Manuel Binarao, Florante Acuna and Emerson Atillano, came from Zamboanga.

Ace pitcher Anastacio Francisco, who was named Mr. Softball in 1975, is also from Zamboanga City along with softball great Thomas Francisco.