Spanish
Santo Domingo. - A standout mound performance by Darwin Mateo Montero was key in the 9-8 victory of the Faraones 2004 promotion team, which defeated the Príncipes 2014 promotion team, to be crowned champion of the II Christmas Cup Tournament 2025, organized by the Softball League of Academic Officers of the Armed Forces and the National Police (Lisoa).
In the game, held at the Primer Teniente Hipólito Ureña stadium of the Dominican Republic Air Force, the champions had the offense of Henry Naut, Most Valuable Player of the final series; as well as Kelvin Dominici, Junior Medina, Wilkin Castro and Franklin Feble. The loss went to pitcher Francisco Cotes. Mateo was the most outstanding pitcher of the match.
Prior to the match, journalist José Pio Santana made the ceremonial first pitch, which was received by Lieutenant Colonel PN, Félix Vilches.
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During the closing ceremony, which included the presentation of the trophy to the champion team and the Most Valuable Player, and Most Outstanding Pitcher, Lt. Colonel Danny Batista Ozuna (ERD), president of Lisoa, expressed his satisfaction with the sustained progress of the league, highlighting that this tournament "is the result of collective effort, for which we thank the support provided by the Minister of Defense, the General Commanders of the Armed Forces and the Director General of the National Police." Referring to the tournament, Batista Ozuna pointed out that "this event was not only a sports competition; it was a celebration of teamwork, respect, discipline, and dedication." He added that "our commitment is to continue promoting opportunities for our officer-athletes to develop, reach their full potential, and strengthen the fellowship among all of us." During the ceremony, the efforts of coaches, leaders, and members of the organizing committee were also recognized, "who have been key to achieving a solid and professional structure, in accordance with the sports standards promoted by Lisoa, very much in line with the discipline that reigns in the Armed Forces and the National Police." Batista Ozuna highlighted the participation of the teams from the promotions Survivors 2006, Moperipas 2008, Warriors 2009, Trabucos 2012, Veterans 2017, Sharks 2018, Jerarcas 2020, Vikings 2022 and The Unstoppables 2023, "who, along with the champion and runner-up, were protagonists of fraternal, exciting and competitive encounters." Finally, he remembered that the organizing committee is already working on setting up the traditional Lisoa tournament, which every year brings together teams from the 2001 promotion onwards, who compete for the Great Rotating Cup 'Military and Police Brotherhood'.
