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A total of eight teams, including one from Central Mindanao, will vie for glory and honors in the tournament which is one of the several events line-up for the annual RRD Pamasko sports extravaganza.
University of Southern Mindanao-Kabacan is entered in the tournament for the first time and expected to provide a stiff competition to the rest of the participating teams led by defending champion University of Mindanao – Davao.
" It would be a very stiff competition, " said Joaquin Sarabia, Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) regional coordinator.
Power-house Panabo City, Digos City and Davao City Water District are also touted heavy-favorites following their superb performance last year finishing first, second and third runner-ups, respectively.
Completing the roster are Tagum City, Matina Blue Boys and Wadab Team.
"They are all strong teams. They are all contenders," said Sarabia.
The teams will be divided into two brackets with the top two teams advancing to the crossover semi-finals wherein the winners will barge into the championship round set on Dec. 30.
Cash prizes are up for grabs in the tournament presented by Mayor Duterte and jointly organized by ASAPHIL-Davao Region and Sports Development Division – City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO) under Christopher "Bong" Go. (Rico Biliran / MindaNews)