Aliss Conol
Region III

Pay it forward.

Decades after her booming career, Far Eastern University star Delia Acuña returned the favor and mentored softball athletes during the Sports Heroes Day at Calinan Elementary School, Davao City on April 27.

The 61-year-old coach of CALABARZON region flashed finesse when she demonstrated the different stances on hitting which made her the best hitter in the 1984 ASEAN Softball Championship.

In her inspirational talk, Acuña stated that even though she came from the slums of Northern Samar, her love for softball changed her life and it is now time to give back.

“Walang imposible kung may pangarap ka, kung determinado at disiplinado ka, madadala ka niyan sa tagumpay na gusto mo. Ako naman, gusto ko lang ibahagi ‘yung knowledge ko para makapang-inspire ng athletes,” Acuña told the junior journalists of Region 3.

With this, the first softball icon Acuña proved that age is just a number and continued her conquest in softball as a coach and a MAPEH teacher.

“Nandito pa ako dahil sa pagmamahal ko sa baseball, at nakikita kong maganda ang future natin sa softball dahil dati wala kaming mga equipment pero ngayon, provided na,” the 10-year striker in Blu-Girls national team added.

Acuña also advised the athletes to enhance not only their physical ability, but also their mental capacity.

“Kailangan natin i-balance ang physical, mental, social, emotional at spiritual. Hindi ka pwede maging magaling na manlalaro kung puro pisikal ang paiiralin mo, kailangan rin ng utak sa mga game situations,” Acuña, an officiating official in Palarong Pambansa, Batang Pinoy Games, Philippine National Games, Philippine Series, National Open for Softball, UAAP, SEA Games, and ASEAN games, shared.

With her glorious 45-year legacy, the former Queen Tamaraw of softball is set to get back on track—not playing, but mentoring.

END