Filipino World Champions in Basketball and Softball in 2012

Philippines, champion at Asian basketball’s Jones Cup

Smart Gilas, the Philippines national basketball team, was crowned champion in the 34th edition of the William Jones Cup in Taiwan. The Philippines beat the United States, 76 to 75, on August 26 to bring home the championship.

LA Tenorio, the smallest player in the team, was also named the Jones Cup MVP.

The team was headed by coaches Chot Reyes, Jong Uichico and Ryan Gregorio with team manager Butch Antonio.
It was the fourth time the Philippines won the Jones Cup. The Philippines also won the Jones Cup in 1981, 1985 and 1998.

Philippines wins Big League Softball World Series

The Philippine team of 13 young girls aged 16 to 18 years won the Big League Softball World Series in August 2012, by beating the United States, 14-2, at Vanderberg Park in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

The team was composed of varsity standouts from Adamson, University of Santo Tomas, University of the East and Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

Players in the 2012 softbelle squad include Adamson University standouts Rizza Bernardino, Michelle Lentija, Glesyl Opjer, Baby Jane Raro, Queeny Sabobo, Mary Jane Fabellar, Krisna Paguican and Andrea Mae Gonzales; Gene Joy Parilla of the University of the East, Chairmaine Joy Oria, Kristine Joy Lacupa and Maria Luna Amparo of the University of Santo Tomas and Mary Joy Floranza of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines.

All of them play softball as athletic scholars. Rizza Borromeo was named the Most Valuable Player and Best Pitcher during the tournament. It was the first crown for the Philippines, after playing in the finals thrice: 2001, 2010 and 2011.

It was the Philippines’ second title in World Series tournaments, which is spread over four age groups. The Philippines’ first title came in the girls’ 13-14 age group, or the Junior League division, courtesy of Bacolod City, in Kirkland, Washington, in 2003.

Sources: Manila Standard Today, Philippine Daily Inquirer