VETERAN pitcher Arthur Alvarez will suit up for Iponan village in the fast approaching 2017 Alubijid Fast Pitch Softball Open on April 22 in the municipality of Alubijid, Misamis Oriental.
The 55-year-old Alvarez chose to play with the underdog Iponan side this time around than the powerhouse Alzbals.
Alvarez, known for pitching perfect games, led the Alzbals to a dominating title finish in the Balingasag Open last January.
“I would like to try as an underdog and reunite with Iponan whom I played with before,” said Alvarez.
Alvarez will be teaming up with Iponan’s veteran batters Labiano Maagad and Sandro Salazar. They will be playing together in Iponan A of the two-team Iponan delegations in the Alubijid Open, which will end on May 3.
Aside from Alvarez, Malaybalay City’s Jeoffrey Tabura and catcher Nolan Melendez will also reinforce Iponan A.
Alzbals will be among the team favorites in the Alubijid Open in the company of the Balingasag All-Stars and host Alubijid All-Stars.
Malaybalay, another powerhouse in the region, may skip the competition as it is preparing to defend turf for the Bukidnon capital’s own fiesta open tournament next month.
“I think they will not join because they are busy preparing well for the Malaybalay open,” said Alvarez.
