THE UST Tiger Softbelles will enter UAAP Season 86 equipped with players, who have gained experience from training with the national team.
Charlotte Sales, who led UAAP Season 81 in home runs, along with pitcher Royevel Palma, catcher Shyla Celis, first baseman Mharnie Dela Cruz, second baseman Lyca Blanco, and center fielder Jojielyn Lim, all of whom have national team experience, will be at the forefront of the Softbelles’ lineup in Season 86.
“Sa kanila kasi, parang dagdag confidence ‘yon lalo na noong nakapag-training na rin sila noong preseason with the national team,” UST assistant coach Esmeralda Tayag said. “So ‘yung lakas nila nakikita na ngayon sa training. Naging motivation din sa mga rookies na ‘kailangan kong sabayan itong skills ng mga seniors ko’ para mag-step up sila.”
After his team faced recruitment issues in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, UST head coach Sandy Barredo took his time to bring in the best talents that would bolster the Tiger Softbelles roster.
Barredo found gems in baseball national team shortstop Helga Campos, former GK Smoky Mountain outfielder May Teves, Bacolod infielder Aiza Ganciar, and pitchers Eireel Baladjay and Celine Chang, the latter also being a former member of the Chinese Taipei U-18 national team.
“Si Celine, noong January, nag-apply siya sa akin dito personally so nakita ko na ‘din galaw niya bago mag UAAP. Si Teves, pumupunta rin dito face-to-face, then si Campos, namo-monitor ko sa national team,” Barredo told the Varsitarian. “Kaya, ‘yung credentials nila, puwedeng panlaban. Plus, ‘yung mga beterano ko pa.”
The Softbelles are entering Season 86 with the aim of ending Adamson University’s decade-long dominance in the softball tournament.
Barredo said he’s confident that the Softbelles would dethrone the 10-time defending champions just like they did in 2010.
“Kami nag-dethrone sa kanila (Adamson) last 2010,” he said. “Kaya namin kasi unang una, ‘yung pitcher nila, hindi naman ganoon katibay. Compare mo sa mga previous years, talagang dominante sila sa pitching.”
“Kahit na nagpipilit ako mag recruit, dominante talaga. Before nasa kanila pa lahat, ‘yung number 1 at number 2 pitchers nare-recruit nila.”
UST last clinched a UAAP crown in Season 72, achieving an undefeated 10-0 run and securing their first championship by defeating Adamson, 8-3.
The Softbelles will kickstart their UAAP Season 86 softball campaign against the Ateneo Blue Eagles on February 24, Saturday, 5 p.m. at the UP Diliman Baseball Field.
