MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines hopes to capitalize on the home field advantage and local support as it vies in the Southeast Asia youth baseball and softball tournament from March 25-29 at the Clark Development Corp. Parade Grounds.
The International Little Association of Manila (ILLAM) will carry the fight for the country in the summer tourney for players aged 15-18, pitting skills with international school teams from Bangkok, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Singapore and Perth, Australia.
“The boys are ready and determined to get a podium finish being the host and enjoying the advantage of a home team,†said Phl-ILLAM team manager Arsenic Laurel.
“The field is strong so we must put our preparation and training on a high gear to achieve our goal,†he added.
Laurel cited the Thais and the Indons as Phl’s toughest rivals for supremacy in the regional tourney hosted for the first time by ILLAM.
To gear up for the mission, the Pinoy batters work out regularly at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium. Former members of the national team and top collegiate squads are also helping the young baseballers by providing valuable inputs during practices.