Philippines nails slot in Coed Softball World Cup

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines smashed Thailand, 31-11, last Friday to claim a historic World Cup berth and gain a crack at the gold medal in the Coed Slo-pitch Softball Asia Cup in Pattaya, Thailand.

The Ana Santiago-coached, Cebuana-Lhuillier-bankrolled Nationals nailed one of the three slots to the World Cup staked in this event that allows each team to field men and women players combined.

It also catapulted the Filipinos, who finished the round with a 3-1 record, to the finals where they meet the top-seeded Taiwanese, who trounced the former, 12-8, in their preliminary-round encounter.

The Philippines’ other wins came against China, 7-6, and Singapore, 15-6.

“Laban kami for the gold medal,” Santiago told The STAR. “First time itong slo-pitch, actually first time ko din mag-coach ng slo-pitch team.”

It was the second time this year that the country earned a World Cup spot after the Blu Girls feat in women’s softball in Incheon, South Korea early last month.

Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president Jean Henri Lhuillier lauded the team for a job well done.

“I am so proud of our Philippine team and we vow to support them all the way to the World Cup,” said Lhuillier.