GOVPH

Quezon Dolphins demolish Dasmariñas Monarchs in semis; bow to Batangas province in finals

 CAVITE CITY-Olino’s led softball team of Quezon traversed to finals against Batangas province after clinching the semifinals over the Monarchs, yesterday, in a masterful yet thrilling encounter for 7 innings, 18-9, but tasted the dose of the same medicine under their previous tormentor in the Regional Athletic Association Meet (RAAM) softball championship game, 6-13, Montano Sport Complex.

Shantal Mhien Robrigado, the pitcher, helped propelled Dolphins to finals after registering successive strike outs over foes when she replaced the second-best pitcher of the team in the 4th inning.

Upon taking the main role, Robrigado added 4 points in the fourth inning to take the lead by 2 (11-9) from a 2 (7-9) point deficit in the third inning after several pitching errors.

It could be remembered that in the third inning, the Monarchs unleased their a-game when they delivered 4 straight points including a homerun due to team’s errors making Dolphin’s coach, Ryan Olino to decide to change the pitcher in the fourth inning.

Since her inception in the game, the team never looked back and took the semifinals with flying colors to set a duel with the twice-to-beat and well-rested Batangas Province in the finals.

“Ang panalong ito ay malaking bagay para sa aming manlalaro, sapagkat higit itong nagpataas sa moral ng mga bata sa kanilang muling pagharap sa Batangas province para sa ginto. Pagod man ang mga bata ay tiyak na ibibigay nila ang kanilang best para sa finals.” Mr. Olino added.

“Babaunin namin ang mga aral sa larong ito sa finals sa mas ekperyensiyado, mas pratisado at mas malaking players ng Batangas province,” dagdag pa ni Olino.

Dolphins gave a neck-to-neck battle against their tormentor in the previous game during the finals, yet, their skills were not enough to subdue the power of the goliaths.

During the first inning, Robrigado showed her brilliance as she proved her batting skills by getting her first homerun in the finals to give the team an early lead, 2-0, but when the opposing team got their breaks, they rained the team with 5 successive homebased and 2 homeruns giving Dolphins their own taste of medicine and never look back to take home the gold medals, 13-6.

“Handa po ang aking mga bata sa finals, lalo’t higit na twice-to-beat po kami, pero hindi po kami nagpapakakampanti sa Dolphins sapagakat sila ay mahuhusay ring manlalaro. Dumaan sila sa matitinding laban kontra Gentri, Rizal, at Dasma, na alam ko pong higit pa na nagpatibay sa kanilang laro,” Mr. Pedro D. De Sagun, Batangas veteran coach, said.

“Advantage rin po namin na fresh pa ang aking mga players and at the same time twice-to-beat po kami kaya medyo less po ang pressure sa amin.” Mr. de Sagun added.

Mr. De Sagun was a six-time national coach for CALABARZON elementary softball team whose coaching styles and skills were seen in the execution of his players in the finals.

“Medyo napagod rin po ang mga bata during the semis noong umaga, tapos na injured pa po ang aking first base man sa larong iyon. Nag take advantage po ang Batangas sa posisyong iyon at doon kumonekta ng ilang mga puntos, dahilan upang maiwan kami sa puntos.” Mr. Olino said.

“Di man po namin nakuha ang kampeonato, ay mag uuwi naman po ang mga bata ng silver medal baon pa ang masasayang mga karanasan at aral sa larong ito. Nagkulang rin po kami sa mga training at exposure. Siguro po, dapat ay maka-tune up games kami sa mga teams upang higit pang mahasa ang mga bata tapos may dagdag pang mga maaayos na mga kagamitan sa laro.”Olino exclaimed.

“Masayang malungkot po kami dahil po di namin nakuha ang gold, pero ang amin pong karanasan na makalaro sa regional meet ay maituturing na po naming panalo namin.” Robrigado mentioned in an interview.

“Ipinaabot po namin ang aming taos-pusong pasasalamat sa mga sumuporta sa amin, sa DepEd Quezon, Guinhawa Elementary School Community, PSDS Sylvia H. Bulfane, Mayor Juan F. Escolano, School principal Loida C. Nuera, at sa aking coaching staff Mr. Gerwin M. Calvelo and Ms. Churchill S, Madrid, at higit sa lahat sa mga magulang ng batang ito at sa ating Dakilang Panginoon para sa pagpapalang ito,”Olino’s final note. (story and photos: Rodel D. Briones, Candelaria West)