The defending champion, the Big Little Leaguers who made it to the ASPAC unopposed this year will carry with them a great amount of confidence as half of the team still possess the winning spirit they got when they won last year’s regional tournament.
Team manager, Tony Satur noted that Ignacio Aldan Jr., Giovanni Ayuyu, Vicente T. Cabrera Jr., Ben A. Leon Guerrero Jr. and Elton Santos who were among the ASPAC Big League champions give the team an edge this year.
Although they did not have enough time practicing due to weather and the availability of the baseball field, Satur said the team is in a winning shape.
“I think we’re getting there. We will have one more practice tomorrow morning, then, we’re ready,” he said.
Aside from the five veterans, the new comers as well, added up to the team’s good morale, Satur said, citing how these former senior leaguers did well last year. He said they are a plus to the squad.
Satur also noted that during practice, the CNMI Big Little Leaguers were working real hard.
“When it comes to work, they work,” he said.
The senior leaguers, according to team manager Patrick Tenorio, also have high morale for this year’s regional tournament.
This he said is giving everybody the hope that they are going to make it this time.
Their experience last year, Tenorio said has propelled them to the next level.
Pitching count which he considers to be crucial this year is something that they really have to careful.
That is why they readied 13 of them, including Josh Jones, Harry Nakamura, Ton Agulto, Eli Aughenbaugh, Juan Maratita and Noki Saralu.
CNMI teams are leaving in separate batches starting today.
