Philippines softbelles gear up for int’l meet in California

MANILA, Philippines — After its golden debut last year, Team Manila sets out to further validate its status as a global power in the 2018 International Girls’ 18-U Softball Championship on July 23-29 in Hemet, California.

“Our main goal is to return and defend the title. It won’t be easy but we’ll try our best,” said Manila coach Ana Santiago during the team’s send-off rites Thursday night with Manila Softball president Rafael “Che” Borromeo and PONY Philippines and Philippine Tot Baseball chief Boy Tingzon.

The Big City softbelles are bringing back six from the triumphant team from 2017, led by standout pitcher Alma Tauli for this mission, beefing them up with six newbies who were part of the Phl squad that placed fourth in the recent Asian Junior Softball Championship in Clark.

“The core of the team from last year was still there and then we added up players who played in the Asian Juniors so all have experience playing in international tournaments. That will be to our advantage,” said Santiago.

Composed mostly of players from Adamson, the Manila bets had been training since summer, playing against the Phl national women’s softball team Blu Girls and UAAP teams to whip up into shape. More tuneup matches with US teams are being arranged for next week prior to tournament proper.