THE UST Tiger Softbelles will rally under a new team captain in an attempt to finally end Adamson University’s eight-year UAAP softball dynasty.
Newly-appointed team captain Celyn Ojare will replace three-time UAAP Best Pitcher Ann Antolihao, who exhausted her playing years.
With the departure of Antolihao, rookie pitcher Ojare will be playing a big role for the Tiger Softbelles following three-straight finals losses against the Lady Falcons.
“Determined akong makukuha namin ang championship ngayon kasi ‘yon na talaga ‘yong goal namin ever since and gift na rin namin sa mga aalis na seniors kasi gusto namin sila bigyan ng memorable na exit,” said Ojare in an interview with the Varsitarian.
But despite being a rookie, the 19-year-old Ojare said pressure would not be a problem for her.
“Siyempre kinailangan kong mag-adjust and hindi naman maiiwasan ‘yong pressure kaya ginagawa ko na lang ‘yong tama at ‘yong dapat,” she said.
Softball was not Ojare’s first love, having played volleyball first before finding her current niche.
She started her softball career in freshman high school when she was discovered by Imanuelito Llave, her coach at Antonio J. Villegas Vocational High School in Tondo, Manila.
The Iloilo native was scouted by Tiger Softbelles head coach Sandy Barredo during her high school’s tune-up game against UST in 2012.
Ojare has copped several medals including the Most Valuable Player award and Home Run Queen in the 2014 National Capital Region Softball Meet.
She was also part of the Philippine juniors’ softball national team that competed in the 2014 World Softball Series in Delaware, United States of America, the 2014 Asia Pacific Middle East Regional League Tournament in Clark, Pampanga and the XII Junior Women’s Softball World Championship in Clearwater, Florida in 2017.
But despite a decorated high school career, Ojare is aware that the UAAP is a completely different playing field.
All UAAP schools tapped her services for their respective senior teams, but Ojare said UST’s consistent sports and academic programs were the deciding factors in choosing her new home.
The De La Salle University, Ateneo de Manila University, National University, University of the Philippines, University of the East, including reigning champion Adamson, all pitched in for her.
“Kinonsider ko ‘yong factor na magaganda ‘yong binibigay na benefits and equipment ng UST para sa athletes nila and maganda rin ‘yong sports program nila rito,” Ojare said.
With roughly a month left before the UAAP Season 81 softball tournament, Barredo is confident that Ojare will deliver right away.
The tactician will bank on Ojare’s services even more this season, since she lost seasoned pitcher Antolihao to graduation last year.
“Malaki ang expectation ko sa kaniya kasi siya ‘yong lumalabas na number one pitcher ngayon and malaki ang importance niya sa team kasi maganda ‘yong skills niya and doon siya nirerespeto ng mga kasama niya,” Barredo said.
Last season, the Tiger Softbelles settled for another silver finish after faltering against Adamson anew in their third-straight finals stint.
