The Davao City Durians proved it right as they remain unbeaten in the second day of eliminations in softball after edging out General Santos, 3-2, and emptying the hits of the host province, Davao del Norte, 13-0, in the ongoing Batang Pinoy Mindanao Qualifying Leg in Tagum City.
With their spikey defense and ferocious hits, the Durians paddled four consecutive wins and grabbed the top spot of the preliminary rounds as of Thursday.
Irene Lumanas, Grade 8 student of Crossing Bayabas National High School, Davao City’s 13 year-old pitcher, gave their opponents a bunch of headaches after pitching relentless strike-outs and kills during the four games.
The Durians, 2013 Palarong Pambansa qualifiers, showed no mercy and held their rivals scoreless Thursday; massacred Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat, 7-0; and toppled South Cotabato, 8-0.
They nearly lost to Gensan Team, scoring only 3-2 after pulling a come from behind win with Rizzierlyn Plaza’s hard strike letting her base-runners to score two runs in the crucial final inning.
Also, Davao City pawned the crowd’s favorite DavNor, 13-0, despite the home court advantage.
“Teamwork and patience brought this win to us. I really expected that my girls will pour it all in their games,” said veteran Palarong Pambansa coach Willie Bayocboc. (PNA)
LAM/ASA/LREYES/LDP