March 28, 2024

The Ganduyan Bucks of Mountain Province is starting to make a name in baseball following the members’ victory as first runner-up and second runner-up for the 50/70 intermediate and Little League softball, respectively, in the recently-concluded 2023 North Luzon Little League Philippines Regional Series held in Ilagan City, Isabela.

The Bucks made history last year when they advanced to the finals of the 2022 Philippine National Series after winning over Iligan Divilacan in the North Luzon Regional Championship match. 

CORDILLERA’S BASEBALL PRIDE — The young members of the Ganduyan Bucks of Mountain Province are considered among the best players in the country with their series of victories in national events. The team is first runner-up and second runner-up in the 50/70 intermediate and Little League softball, respectively, in the 2023 North Luzon Little League Philippines Regional Series held in Ilagan City, Isabela. — PIA Mountain Province Facebook photo

In progression during the Philippine National Series, the Ganduyan Bucks 50/70 Intermediate League garnered first runner-up while the Junior League garnered second runner-up.

Ganduyan Bucks first smashed a record in Mountain Province when their former members in the Little League Baseball and Little League Softball were both awarded second runner-up in the 2004 Philippines Series. 

They continued their triumph in 2005 when their representing team for Little League Baseball was awarded third runner-up.

The team, composed of young players from Sagada made an appearance in international baseball when they joined the 2020 Pacific Super Game held at the Village Clark Sports Complex in Pampanga, winning second place in their first time bid after defeating the Taipei TYSA Athletic Baseball Team.

It was in 1996, when baseball was in its prime, that the Ganduyan Bucks came to life. 

Founded by the late P/Insp. Ben Yodong and lawyer David Daoas, the team’s name originated from the venison meat (buck) that they were having during their meeting. 

“Ganduyan” on the other hand, is the traditional name of Sagada.

Although making the team isn’t the most challenging as few people only show up for try-outs, the process of keeping their training consistent and uninterrupted is a hard stone to carry.

With the limited number of coaches, each having to handle at least three teams while doing administrative, technical and financial works, their struggles seem to be just a line in their happy faces.

The team hopes for better training and more support to help them perfect their skills. – PIA