TIGER Softbelle Helga Campos, who tallied the most stolen bases in Season 86, was the softball tournament’s Rookie of the Year at the UP Diliman Football Pitch on Wednesday, April 17.
Campos, a women’s national baseball team member, tallied the most stolen bases with three this season.
“She has that winning ability. She’s a big asset to the team,” UST head coach Sandy Barredo told the Varsitarian.
Campos recorded UST’s first home run of the season in a 10-2 win against Ateneo during the first round of the eliminations.
“Hindi ko makukuha ‘yong award na ‘yon if di ako ginabayan ng mga coaches and teammates ko,” Campos said. “During trainings pa lang namin, many people expected me na makukuha ko ‘yong Rookie of the Year awars and malaking pressure ‘yon for me.”
“So ginawa ko more on extra trainings and also my seniors advised me to just focus sa pinaka-goal ng team.”
Big shoes to fill
Campos said that with her infield teammates and three other Tiger Softbelles set to depart, she and the remaining players are ready to step up next season to aim for a finals appearance.
“Masakit lang na aalis na sa team ‘yong mga seniors namin kasi sila ‘yong laging gumagabay and nag ha-handle every time na may problema,” Campos said. “Siguro ito na rin ‘yong time for us to learn, step up and make progress to grow for the next season.”
“Iyong goal namin next season is makapasok na talaga sa championship. Hindi man namin nakuha ngayon, malaking tiwala ‘yong binigay ng mga seniors namin na makakaya po ng team next season.”
The Tiger Softbelles missed the finals for the second straight season and finished with bronze. They will miss the services of infielders Lyca Blanco, Charlotte Sales and Mharnie de la Cruz, as well as veterans Royevel Palma, Shyla Celis and Christine Bautista.
