After wallowing beneath the standings for the past years, the Green Batters snagged the fourth place last season, which is one of their best finishes. In the 73rd installment of the UAAP, they are aiming for no less than the championship.
Team Captain Gabriel Baroque shares that the team had a fruitful offseason, as their roster for this year features a good mix of veterans and rookies. The squad will be aided by the services of three rookies who experienced playing in the Little League World Series last Aug., during which the three showcased their toughness and persevered during the games.
The Green-and-White Batters also have two competitive recruits from the Muntinlupa Little League, an esteemed league that has earned a reputation for being a breeding ground for excellent and budding baseball players.
Baroque also shares that the team would be carrying a total of eight pitchers and four catchers. The veterans’ skills and experience in the past UAAP seasons would aid them in attaining their goals of being champions.
As for their counterparts in the distaff side, the Lady Softbelles are expecting to star in a better performance this year after a winless campaign last season in which they finished last. Team Captain Andrea Aurelio says that the team is working primarily on the conditioning and strengthening of the softbelles.
Previously composed of over 8 rookies, the softbelles have greater depth and experience now and playing as one unit will definitely complement their present training. Their calendar of events is likewise filled these past few months with drills and exercises, which aim to improve their speed, strength and endurance. The team has also been sharpening their basic skills such as catching, throwing, and batting and by joining other tournaments and practice games before UAAP season starts.
Both the Green Batters and Lady Softbelles are training under the wing of Coach Alex Estipular, as both Baroque and Aurelio say that their coach has done an excellent job in making sure that the both teams are prepared for the battles ahead.
In addition to their training rigorously comes maintaining a healthy mentality before the games, which could very well be the key to their trip to the Promised Land.
“We know that it would not be easy to win the championship because all the other teams are tough competitors, but the thing about us [Green Batters] is that everyone believes we will win against every team we go up against because we have that winning mentality,” Baroque adds.
