The Philippines yielded to Chinese Taipei, 12-8, to absorb its first defeat in the Co-Ed Slow Pitch Softball Asia Cup 2023 in Pattaya, Thailand.

The PH team still has a shot for a spot in the World Cup despite the defeat. (Photo from ASAPHIL)

Though it slipped to a 2-1 win-loss record, the Cebuana Lhuillier-backed squad still has a shot for an outright berth to the World Cup when it faces host Thailand next.

“We’ll definitely go for the win to get that World Cup slot. We will not let this opportunity pass by,” said PH team coach Ana Santiago.

The Filipino bets opened their campaign with a 7-6 upset win against powerhouse China and followed it up with a 15-6 thrashing of Singapore.

“The team is still right on track,” said Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) President Jean Henri Lhuillier despite the defeat.

The top three teams will earn berths to the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Co-ed Slo Pitch World Cup set this year.