After winning the top prize at the 2024 Makassar International Women’s Softball Tournament held from Oct. 5 to 12 in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, the UP Softball Varsity Team (UPSVT) paid a call to UP Diliman (UPD) Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II on Oct. 16 at the Office of the Chancellor.

At the tournament, the UPSVT competed with softball clubs and varsity teams from Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore.

The UPSVT defeated the Ravens Softball Club from Brunei in the finals, 3-1. Kacelyn Valino, a fourth year Bachelor of Physical Education major at the UPD College of Human Kinetics (CHK), was named most valuable player and best pitcher, while Angel Pascual, a second year Bachelor of Secondary Education major at the UPD College of Education was awarded best slugger.

UPVST Coach Ronny Pagkalinawan said this is the first time the UPVST joined the tournament, and their exposure in the international competition has helped the team’s confidence.

“Our players gained confidence and at the same time the coaching staff were able to see the strengths and weaknesses of our team. Talagang malaking tulong ito sa preparation namin para sa upcoming University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ season,” Pagkalinawan explained.

Together with Pagkalinawan, CHK Dean Francis Diaz, Director Dolriech Perasol of the UPD Office for Athletics and Sports Development (OASD), and OASD officials Moriah Joel Gingerich and Kenneth Raval, the team presented Vistan their championship trophy and medals.