PH gears up for U-18 Asian Softball hosting

The Philippines is gearing up to showcase its hosting capabilities as it welcomes Asia’s rising softball stars for the second Men’s Under-18 Softball Asia Cup, scheduled for December 1 to 7 at The Villages in Clark, Pampanga.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, longtime president of the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL), expressed optimism about the country’s hosting preparations during a media conference at the PJL Corporate Center in Makati City, confirming that six countries have initially committed to the tournament.

The competition will also serve as a qualifying event for next year’s World Championship, with the top two finishers earning the right to represent Asia.

“We’re looking forward to hosting the Under-18 championships here in the Philippines for the first time. We have six countries joining, and we are hoping to welcome even more. The finalists will also advance as representatives of Asia in the World Championships,” Lhuillier said.

Reigning champion Japan, which captured the inaugural title in 2023, will defend its crown against Singapore, China, India, Indonesia and host Philippines.

Lhuillier noted that the tournament marks an important milestone for Philippine softball, as the country’s last hosting of a tournament at this level was the Women’s Under-18 competition in 2018.

“The last time we hosted a tournament at this level was the women’s under-18 in 2018, so this hosting comes at a very timely moment,” he added.

The Philippine Under-18 squad, known as the Blu Boys, will make its debut in the age-group competition, facing a challenging field of Asian contenders.

Under head coaches Isidro Abello and Julius Vinuya, the young Filipino team has been gaining valuable experience by competing against older and more seasoned players in the national men’s open competition.

Standout pitcher Vinz Dominic Sandil leads the squad, which has been undergoing intensive training in preparation for the continental tournament.

“The boys are in good condition and will be in great fighting form by December,” assistant coach Jasper Cabrera said.

ASAPHIL operations manager Hanson Landicho said preparations remain on track as organizers work toward welcoming the participating delegations to the country.