Young batters of Ganduyan Bucks of Sagada, Mountain Province are advan-cing to the finals of the Little League Philippines Series 2022 on June 3 to 9 at Salawag Field, Dasmariñas, Cavite.
Ganduyan Bucks coach Allen Angway said the intermediate and junior league championed their respective divisions during the league’s North Luzon cluster, besting other teams from Ilocos Region and Cagayan Valley.
The intermediate team edged out the Ilagan Divilacan team to advance to the finals while the junior league beat Kalinga, 14-10, propelling the members to the national finals.
But the Ganduyan Bucks senior league was stopped short by Zambales baseball team, 15-3, for the runner-up position.
“We had a very good performance during the qualifiers. For the seniors who lost to Zambales, I think Zambales played better and was more focused,” Angway said.
As a result of the draw for the national finals, the Ganduyan Bucks 50/70 intermediate team is set to face the International Little League Association of Manila in the best of three games on June 3 and 4.
For the juniors’ league, the MP team will face Iloilo on June 6 then Muntinlupa on June 7 for the single round robin event, which will determine the top two teams to battle it out on June 8 and 9.
Angway said they will do their best du-ring the finals despite the lack of practice for the teams under Ganduyan.
Established in 1996, the Ganduyan Bucks was started by the late Ben Yodong, Sr. and Atty. David Daoas of Sagada. Angway said the Ganduyan Bucks came from the venison meat served du-ring the meeting of the founders.
Now, the group is composed of Little League (under 12 years old), Junior League (13 to 15), and Big League (16 up).
He said the little league and the junior league are mostly active members from the different barangays of Sagada.
It is now composed of 42 athletes composed of three teams plus nine adult coaches and trainers.
Little League Baseball is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote, develop, supervise, and voluntarily assist in all lawful ways, the interest of those who will participate in Little League baseball and softball. – Ofelia C. Empian
