Bacolod Earns a Podium Finish in Washington
BACOLOD - Bacolod City’s young softball players delivered a strong performance at the 2026 Junior League Softball World Series, capturing the bronze medal in Kirkland, Washington. Representing the Asia-Pacific Region, the Filipino team composed of athletes aged 12 to 14 finished the tournament with a convincing 4-0 victory over Hudsonville, Michigan, from the United States Central Region. All of the players are students of Bacolod City National High School, giving the achievement added significance for the city’s public school sports program. Their international performance placed Bacolod among the tournament’s top teams and gave the young athletes an opportunity to compete against talented players from different parts of the world. The result also highlighted the growing potential of softball athletes emerging from Bacolod’s schools and local sports programs.
A Shutout Performance Secures the Medal
The bronze-medal game was highlighted by an impressive pitching performance from Faith Tamba, who kept Hudsonville from scoring throughout the contest. Bacolod’s representatives opened the scoring in the second inning when Angel Chua delivered a double that brought Joliefeb Diaz home. The Asia-Pacific team added another run in the fourth inning through Diaz’s run-batted-in single, giving the squad greater control of the game. The decisive moment came in the seventh inning when Chantal Entira’s single led to two additional runs after a fielding error by the Central Region defense. With a 4-0 advantage, Tamba and her teammates completed the shutout by recording two strikeouts in the final inning. The disciplined defensive effort allowed the Philippines to close out the game without surrendering a run.
A Proud Moment for Bacolod's Young Athletes
The team's performance in Kirkland represents an important achievement for Bacolod's youth sports community and the students who dedicated themselves to training for the international competition. Playing at the World Series gave the athletes valuable experience competing against teams from outside the Philippines while allowing them to represent both their school and country. Their success also reflects the contributions of coaches, teachers, parents, teammates, and local supporters who helped the players reach the international tournament. Mayor Greg Gasataya congratulated the team and thanked the athletes for their sacrifices in bringing recognition to Bacolod City, the Philippines, and the Asia-Pacific Region. The bronze medal provides an encouraging example for other young athletes who hope to pursue competitive sports while continuing their education. It also demonstrates how school-based sports programs can provide pathways for Filipino students to reach international competitions.
