The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Philippine team, with a 2-1 win loss record after beating China and Singapore and losing to Chinese Taipei, guns for automatic Word Cup slot against host country, Thailand, in their last elimination round.
“The team is on the right track. I am happy with their performance right now and we are just one win away from securing our World Cup slot that we have eyed for this tournament,” Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) President Jean Henri Lhuillier said.
After winning their first two games, 7-6 against China and 15-6 against Singapore, the team lost a tight match with Chinese Taipei with 8-12 score, setting up an important match with Thailand.
A win will put the team to the gold medal match against Chinese Taipei and a World Cup slot while a loss against Thailand will relegate the team to a bronze medal match and another opportunity to secure a World Cup slot.
Coach Ana Maria Santiago expressed her confidence that they will get the job done. “I am confident that the team will do well against Thailand and will go for the win to get that world cup slot. This is what we’re working for in this training, and we will not let this opportunity pass by.”
The top three teams in the final standings will secure a slot for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Co-ed Slow Pitch World Cup that will take place this year.