Natibu tops Thanksgiving tourney

No bridesmaid finish for Natibu this time, as it ruled the 15th Annual PIC Thanksgiving Softball Tournament held over the weekend at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Pangelinan Ballfield.

Natibu, which placed only second to No Ka Oi last year, took the title that eluded the team in the 14th season of the annual tournament whipping Man Amigos, 17-7, in Game 2 of the championship showdown.

Natibu entered the finals with a twice-to-beat advantage after sweeping its preliminary matches. But it could not win the tournament earlier when Man Amigos posted a 10-7 triumph in Game 1.

Man Amigos picked up where they left off at the start of the deciding Game 2 with Luis Iguel anchoring a four-run bottom of the first with his solo homer.

Man Amigos’ defense shut out Natibu at the top of the first allowing the former to take a 4-0 lead.

Back-to-back triples from J.D. Dikito and extra hitter Bruce Norita sparked Natibu’s comeback in the second inning, which ended with Man Amigos ahead by only one, 4-3. Dikito had a two-run triple at the top of the second, while Norita’s triple drove one runner home in the same inning.

Man Amigos made another homer at the bottom of the third with Jesus Iguel on the connecting end, but earlier at the top of the third Natibu scored six runs.

Man Amigos had only three runs in the third inning allowing Natibu to seize the lead, 9-7.

Natibu continued to sizzle adding six more runs in the fourth inning and never relinquished the lead as it shut out Man Amigos in the last two innings for a 10-run mercy rule win.

Bruce Norita went perfect at the plate for Natibu, going 3-for-3. He had one triple and three RBIs. J.R. Suel and Dikito both went 2-for-3 at-bat and combined for five RBIs.

Other members of the champion team were Ken Kalen, Manny Evangelista, Ned Norita, Bobbie Norita, Mel Camacho, Marley Techur, and Lawrence Dikito.

Man Amigos assumed the bridesmaid role from Natibu having placed runner-up in the last two tournaments it had joined in.

Two weeks ago, Man Amigos lost to Brotherhood in the finals of the 2008 Budweiser BASA Softball League.

Three other teams joined this year’s PIC Thanksgiving tourney with Nang placing third. The Miller Chill Boys and PIC were the two other participants in the weekend event.

Natibu won four cases of Miller Lite beer, 20 waterpark passes plus Magellan lunches for two at PIC, $200.00, and a case of Gatorade.

Man Amigos settled for two cases of Miller Lite beer, two cases of Gatorade and 20 waterpark passes at PIC, while Nang went home with two cases of Mickey’s beer and one case of Gatorade.

PIC staff and tournament organizers thanked Pacific Trading Co. for supporting the annual event.