PABA Makes Strong Showing at APABA Softball Tournament

The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County hosted its 5th Annual Co-Ed Softball Tournament on August 18. This year's tournament was the largest ever--in additional to the usual participants (APABA, PABA, KABA, SCCLA, JABA, and SABA), the Asian Pacific Public Defenders Association, the Mexican American Bar Association, and the Langston Bar fielded teams to do battle under the hot sun at Cheviot Hills Park.

PABA's team captains, Arnold Pamplona and Hildy Aguinaldo, along with team mangaer Stan Escalante, assembled a capable team consisting of Mel Avanzado, Abigail Treanor, Patrick Treanor, Bryan Clavecilla, Marco Del Chiaro, Windell "Dell" Jones, Joyce Fujikmaki, Joyce (Cruz) Carey, Mark Santa Romana, and Jason Villamater.

After a grueling day of softball, PABA made a respectable showing, losing to APABA, beating the combination team made up of SCCLA and the Asian Public Defenders, and fighting MABA to a draw.

Team Captains Aguialdo and Pamplona have guaranteed a tournament championship in 2008. To do that, they must unseat KABA, this year's champs, who looked unbeatable. They are now accepting suggestions for a team name in 2oo8. The current front runner for a moniker is "The Bad News Carabaos."

Pictures (click for full view):

PABA stepped it up for this year's tournament by commissioning custom uniforms. There are a few extra uniforms left. If you would like to purchase one, please contact Arnold Pamplona.

PABA's power hitter, Mel Avanzado, chats it up with fans. Avanzado had one home run and two dazzling diving catches in left field.

Patrick Treanor takes a practice swing on an offering from pitcher Marco Del Chiaro during pre-game warm ups.

Joyce Fujimaki warming up by playing a little catch with Joyce Carey. The "Joyces" were a power house for PABA during the tournament.


Dell Jones and Brian Clavecilla patiently wait for a pop fly.


(L-R) Jason Villamater, Mark Santa Romana, Joyce Fujimaki, Abigail Treanor, and Joyce Carey kept cool in the dugout.


Your 2007 PABA Softball Team. (Seated L-R) Hildy Aguinaldo, Marco Del Chiaro, Stan Escalante. (Second Row L-R) Joyce Carey, Joyce Fukimaki, Abigail Treanor, Jason Villamater, Arnold Pamplona, Mark Santa Romana. (Third Row L-R) Brian Clavecilla, Mel Avanzado, Patrick Treanor, Dell Jones.


Aguinaldo and Villamater celebrate an excellent 1-1-1 showing at the Tournament.


Wasting little time, Escalante, Pamplona and Del Chiaro hold a debriefing session at Islands. Strategizing for next year, they hope to lead PABA to a championship.

To view PABA's full photo set from the tournament, click here.