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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider PH batters eye three-peat in Pony World Series

PH batters eye three-peat in Pony World Series

Published Jul 8, 2025 03:15 pm

At A Glance

  • Despite having only three holdovers, Team Manila remained confident when it guns for a three-peat in the 2025 PONY International Girls Softball World Series at McAllen Softball Complex in Texas slated July 17 to 21.
(Pony Cup)
(Pony Cup)
Despite having only three holdovers, Team Manila remained confident when it guns for a three-peat in the 2025 PONY International Girls Softball World Series at McAllen Softball Complex in Texas slated July 17 to 21.
Competing under the guidance of coach Sheirylou Valenzuela, team manager Giovanni Mapa and president Rafael "Che" Borromeo, the reigning champion Filipina Under-18 is composed of 14 players from different schools across Manila.
“Sa ngayon, tingin ko we can still compete, toe-to-toe with the best of what they have, kasi ang challenge po sa atin ngayon is tayo ‘yong defending champion, marami po talagang babangga na malakas,” said Mapa in Tuesday’s Forum presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 sports app ArenaPlus.
“Masasabi ko sa team ngayon, mas malakas ‘yong paluan nila galing sila sa Palaro (Laoag)... [and] Asia qualifying and World last year,” Valenzuela added.
Still serving as a threat for Team Manila’s bid are Latin American countries like Puerto Rico and Mexico, with Asian giants Japan and China also posing danger in the five-day meet.
The Bahamas and Nigeria are also taking part, while the organizers still await for the confirmation of Ecuador and the Dominican Republic.
“Sa last year po namin na talagang babalikan kami ng mga nakalaban namin,” Valenzuela continued. “Sabi nga no’ng coach do’n babalikan daw nila kami and tatalunin.”
“Sana naman masungkit ulit natin ulit ‘to sa tulong at dasal ninyong lahat,” added Borromeo.
The Philippine squad is set to fly to Texas next Monday, July 14, same as the departure day of the RP Blu Girls who will be competing in the 2025 Women's Softball Asia Cup.
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