IMUS, CAVITE – The crack of the bat, the cloud of clay dust, and the roar of passionate sports fans filled the air as the City of Imus successfully cemented its status as a premier national sports tourism hub. From September 9 to 15, 2026, the state-of-the-art City of Imus Grandstand and Track Oval served as the battleground for the high-octane 2026 ASAPHIL Men's and Women's National Softball Championship. Organized by the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) in an elite partnership with the Imus Local Government Unit and corporate giant Cebuana Lhuillier, the tournament gathered the most elite diamond squads from across Luzon.
Women's Division: Adamson Lady Falcons Assert Dominance
In the Women's bracket, the legendary softball program of Adamson University proved exactly why they are considered royalty in Philippine sports. The top-tier Adamson University 1 squad staged a masterclass in the grand finals, shutting out a formidable University of the Philippines (UP) 1 lineup with a dominant 9-0 victory to hoist the championship trophy. The Fighting Maroons still showcased deep talent, with the UP 2 team capturing second place, while the developmental Adamson University 2 roster rounded out the podium in third. The individual accolades highlighted spectacular standout athletes: Most Valuable Player April Minanga (Adamson University 1); Best Hitter, Best Slugger, Most RBIs, and Most Stolen Bases Aries Libaton (UP 1); Most Home Runs Jolyn Caballero (UP 1); and Best Pitcher Cristine Angel Calaguas (UP 2).
Men's Division: PUP Radicals Capture the Crown
The Men's bracket delivered an equally electric finale as the powerhouse Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) went toe-to-toe against the hard-hitting independent club D'Kalidad. Showcasing seamless defensive positioning and flawless pitching rotations, the PUP Radicals cruised to a commanding 7-0 shutout to claim national bragging rights. The highly competitive Bulacan All-Stars secured the runner-up spot, while the hometown Imus City Softball Team gave local fans plenty to cheer about by capturing the third-place bronze medal. The individual men's honors recognized top-tier performance on the field: Most Valuable Player Julis Dela Cruz (PUP); Best Hitter Rick Lenard De Guzman (Under-18); Best Slugger and Most Home Runs Kenneth Torres (Imus City); Most Runs Batted In Melvin De Castro (Bulacan All-Star); Most Stolen Bases John Kiel Olazo (D'Kalidad); and Best Pitcher Rey Aliling (D'Kalidad).
Imus Ready for the National Stage
The final championship matches drew high-level civic support, led personally by Imus City Mayor Alex "AA" L. Advincula, alongside ASAPHIL executive John Perlas and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod. The flawless administrative rollout of this multi-day tournament serves as absolute proof that Imus possesses the world-class sporting infrastructure, security protocols, and community passion required to host large-scale, national athletic conventions. With the diamond dust now settled, Queen City Cavite stands tall as an undeniable powerhouse for grass-roots sports development.
