DCCA takes the lead in Labor Day

Through some nasty weather and field conditions that were less than ideal, the DCCA defeated DOLI in the finals of the Labor Day Softball Tournament to take the overall lead in the quest for the Perpetual Trophy.

The men and women of the DCCA took charge of the game right from the start, scoring all of the runs that they could on the top of the first inning. They came out with four on the top of the first and a pair of insurance runs on the top of the seventh to dole DOLI the 6-1 loss.

Jovie Omar led the way for the DCCA offense, going 3-for-3, scoring twice, hitting a pair of singles, and a double. Joey Dela Cruz went 1-for-3, but his one was an inside the park grand salami that scored three runs.

DOLI was only able to manage one run off of three hits, but credit Mitch Aaron for the inside the parker in the fourth to put DOLI on the scoreboard.

In one of the more interesting matches in the tournament, DPH edged out OPA in what will forever be known as the “rain game” by a 2-1 score. One of the players from OPA said that this was the first time that he had played two sports at the same time—swimming and softball. The sloppy conditions and quality defense stretched this game into a nine-inning affair. DPH survived, only to be eliminated by DOLI in the semi-finals.

Organizers took some liberties with the rules of softball, allowing the women on the coed teams to take their turns batting as per their usual, while all of the men were obligated to take their swings from the opposite side of the plate.

The DCCA squad was made up of Mario Sablan, John Reyes, Jovie Omar, Julian Camacho, Joey Dela Cruz, Dino Palacios, Candy Taman, Roselle Magofna, JJ Laniyo, Bill Limes, Liz Palacios, Elias Rangamar, and Carmen Cabrera.

DCCA is the defending champion of the games for two years running, and with the win in softball, they are in a good position for their third. As it stands now, DCCA is leading in the overall point race for the Perpetual Trophy with 45 points. They are followed by DOLI, who finished with 37 points, and DPH with 25. The trophy is still up for grabs as the basketball and volleyball tournaments will be held this weekend at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The teams are reminded that they will gain extra points toward the perpetual trophy if their department head participates in the event. The points from all of the events will be tallied and a winner announced on Sunday, September 5, when the Labor Day festivities come to a close following a “Fear Factor” event. The organizers are being tight lipped about the details but they promise that it will be fun for all in attendance.