Philippine U18 softball team aims for three-peat at PONY International in Texas

Team Manila-Philippines aims to defend its title and secure a three-peat at the PONY International Girls Softball World Series, which will take place from July 17 to 20 in McAllen, Texas.

The Filipina team successfully retained the U18 championship last year after sweeping all eight games of the tournament, including a 6-0 shutout against Glory Adkins Bejar in the final match.

Coach Sheirylou Valenzuela expressed confidence but noted that Puerto Rico's team, which vowed to get even with Team Manila this year, is one of their biggest threats.

Manila councilor Rafael 'Che' Borromeo mentioned potential participation from Japan and China while emphasizing that Puerto Rico and Mexico are also serious contenders for the championship.

The team, composed mostly of players from Adamson, La Salle, and Bacolod, has been training for about two months and will depart on July 14.

Team manager Giovanni Mapa noted the challenge of facing many strong teams as defending champions in a tournament featuring 27 participating teams.