Cebuana Lhuillier and Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) president, Jean Henri Lhuillier commended the phenomenal performance of the men’s national softball team, RP Blu Boys in the recently held 11th Men’s Softball Asia Cup in Japan.
“I would like to congratulate the whole RP Blu Boys team for their exemplary performance in the Asia Cup and we are very proud of them. We know that they have given their best in all of the matches. Thanks to them, we were able to showcase what Filipino softball players can do and that we can go head-to-head with other international players.”
The RP Blu Boys were able to secure a World Cup seat after placing second in the Asia Cup, following their loss against Japan (2-9).
“We are looking forward to the World Cup journey of our softball team in Auckland in November. We will surely continue our support to the team to make sure they are once again well prepared for the tournament,” Lhuillier added.
World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Men’s Softball World Cup will be held in Auckland, New Zealand on Nov. 26 to Dec. 4.
Following the series of matches in the Asian Cup qualifier held in Kochi, Japan, the Philippine softball team RP Blu Boys, supported by Cebuana Lhuillier, is now qualified for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Men’s Softball World Cup to be held on November 26 to December 4 in Auckland, New Zealand.
Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) president, RP Blu Boys’ benefactor, and Cebuana Lhuillier president and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier expressed his pride and praised the team for their phenomenal performance.
“I would like to extend my sincerest congratulations to the team for earning a World Cup berth and putting us on the international scene. It’s been a tough journey for our softball players, but it is without a doubt that they have the capacity to compete with other international players and rise above the challenges. We will continue to support them especially as they prepare for the World Cup. This will be a good experience for our players as they test their mettle against world-class teams.”
For RP Blu Boys’ Head Coach Apol Rosales, the fight is far from over and the team will continue to do its best to win the coveted title. “We are happy that we are bearing the Philippines in this journey and we are immensely thankful to Mr. Jean Henri Lhuillier for always believing in the team. We are determined to give our 100% in the upcoming matches and show the world what the Philippine team can do.”
Despite losing to Singapore (5-6) and Japan (0-7) during the Super round, the RP Blu Boys bagged a win against India (8-1) which brought them to a rematch against Japan for the Asian title.
AXA, official insurance partner of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the Philippines, was one of the marketing partners of the Jr. NBA Philippines 2018 presented by Alaska National Training Camp (NTC).
The program attracted the most promising and aspiring basketball players aged 10-14 from different parts of the country. One of the participants, Jam Lachica, 12, made it to the NTC with support from AXA.
The insurance company provided apparel and training to Lachica for the Manila Regional Selection Camp prior to the NTC. For more information on AXA’s partnership with the NBA, visit www.axa.com.ph.
Jr. NBA finalist Jam Lachica (center) with AXA chief customer officer Amor Balagtas (right) and coach Dick Gawat
If you ask Jam Lachica, 12, a young girl and an avid basketball player, how she ended up being selected among 800 players during the Jr. NBA Philippines presented by Alaska Regional Selection Camp, Jam will tell you right away that it was because of her coaches, including her dad Jaylord Lachica and school coach Joseph Rizos.
As a budding athlete, Jam was always influenced by her father’s interests, including basketball, which led to her love for the sport. Since the age of six, she would tag along with her father’s barangay leagues and closely observe the game. “Lagi akong sinasama ni Papa sa mga laro niya, kaya ginusto ko na rin matutunan yung basketball,” she said.
Fast forward to 2016 when Jam first joined the Jr. NBA Regional Selection Camp wherein she competed with several skilled female players her own age. However, she missed her chance to progress to the camp’s second day after she left to support her dad’s championship game in Quezon City.
But just like a true champion, Jam got back up and tried again in 2017. Knowing that she had been chosen on her first try, the shooting guard had a little more confidence, but unfortunately, she failed to make the cut. “Ginawa ko naman yung best ko para makuha ako ulit kaso madaming ibang magagaling,” she said.
Jam admits to feeling disappointment and in fact, did not consider joining this year’s camp. However, her dad didn’t lose faith and together with coach Rizos encouraged her to join again. Surprisingly, 2018 seemed to be Jam’s lucky year – with the help of AXA, the official insurance partner of the NBA in the Philippines, she had the support that she needed to succeed.
Jam was selected as one of the 16 girls that would represent Metro Manila and compete with peers from the provinces at the National Training Camp. All the hard work and long training hours were worth it. “Sobrang saya at thankful ako na may na-meet akong coach na nag-motivate sa akin to do my best. Buti nalang nandiyan si Papa para bigyan ako ng pag–asa,” she said. After all, third time’s the charm.
With AXA providing proper coaching and support, along with her father and coach’s help, she is now one step closer to reaching her dreams. “Si Papa ang best coach ko. Basta nandiyan siya, kaya kong abutin yung mga pangarap ko,” she said.
AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance companies, empowers people to live better lives by encouraging them to have a game plan, whether it’s in sports or in the hard court that is life.
AXA believes that preparing for the future is important so that people can live the life they choose. For more information on AXA’s wide array of life and general insurance and investment products, visit www.axa.com.ph.
AXA, the official insurance partner of the NBA in the Philippines, supported young Filipino basketball players as they participated in the Jr. NBA Philippines presented by Alaska Regional Selection Camp in Metro Manila.
AXA backed Johnrey Catalan, Jamir Baldomar, Christian Jaojoco, Dexter Lugmay, Razel de Torres, John Greg Gawat, and Jam Lachica, who joined over 800 young players ages 10-14 at the tryouts held in Don Bosco Technical Institute, Makati City.
AXA supports the NBA’s global youth basketball participation program, which teaches the fundamental skills and core values of basketball.
For more information, visit axa.com.ph/nba. Photo shows AXA chief customer officer Amor Balagtas (fourth from left) and coach Dick Gawat (leftmost) with the AXA-sponsored kids.
The 20th season of Best Center Women’s Volleyball League (WVL), one of the country’s longest-running and biggest volleyball tournaments for girls in the 13-and-under and 17-and-under divisions, has officially started. Organized by the Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training (BEST) Center and sponsored by Milo, the annual interschool tournament welcomed 60 teams from top-ranked schools in the National Capital Region.
This year, St. Paul College of Makati will defend its title against 12 other teams in the 13 Under Developmental Division while Colegio de San Agustin Makati will battle against 5 teams to retain its crown in the 13 Under Competitive Division.
In the 17 Under Developmental Division, Hope Christian High School will try to retain its title against 20 other teams while La Salle College Antipolo will try to thwart 19 other teams aiming for championship victory in the 17 Under Competitive Division.
Making WVL more exciting and competitive this season is the participation of new teams from St. Dominic Savio College, Young Achiever’s School of Caloocan, Inc., Sisters of Mount Carmel Catholic School, Inc. and San Pedro Relocation National High School.
Welcoming the participants at the opening ceremony at Xavier High School Courts were BEST Center founder Nic Jorge, Milo Sports executive Robbie De Vera and WVL commissioner Florentino “Kid” Santos. The event was also graced by Jose Romasanta, president of Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. (LVPI) and the spokesperson of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
L-R: Milo Sports executive Robbie De Vera, Larong Volleyball Sa Pilipinas, Inc. President Jose Romasanta, BEST Center founder Nic Jorge and WVL Commissioner Florentino ‘Kid’ Santos in the ceremonial toss
“We’re very excited to host another season of the WVL. This is a great avenue for young girls to showcase their volleyball skills and test their abilities in a major competition. With this tournament, we hope to train and produce more promising volleyball players who will dominate the game in the big leagues someday,” said Jorge.
“WVL has greatly contributed to the development of Philippine volleyball. Aside from building future champions, it also promotes sports and physical fitness to young girls. I won’t be surprised if WVL becomes a permanent fixture in the schools’ sports calendar someday and that future volleyball stars will make it from these ranks,” said De Vera.
Romasanta, on the other hand, commended BEST Center for supporting sports development in the country. “BEST Center has been bringing sports closer to Filipino children and has greatly contributed to the overall development of sports in the country,” he said.
For 20 years, WVL serves as a breeding ground for young girls to showcase their talent and passion for volleyball. BEST Center is confident that the sport will continue to grow in both popularity and equality.
For more information about the BEST Center Women’s Volleyball League and BEST Center’s volleyball clinics and tournaments, call 411-6260, 3723066 and 372-3065, email be**************@gm***.com
Cebuana Lhuillier and Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) president, Jean Henri Lhuillier commended the phenomenal performance of the men’s national softball team, RP Blu Boys in the recently held 11th Men’s Softball Asia Cup in Japan.
AXA, official insurance partner of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the Philippines, was one of the marketing partners of the Jr. NBA Philippines 2018 presented by Alaska National Training Camp (NTC).
AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance companies, empowers people to live better lives by encouraging them to have a game plan, whether it’s in sports or in the hard court that is life.
You must be logged in to post a comment.