Eight of Asia’s strongest junior softball teams from China, Chinese Taipei, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand will see action in the 7th Asian Junior (19&Under) Women’s Softball Championship slated from May 13 to 18 at The Villages Softball Field in Clark, Pampanga.
This year’s tourney marks the first time that the Philippines will be hosting the event under the leadership of Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) president and respected sports patron, Jean Henri Lhuillier.
“I am not surprised that the Philippines is hosting this year’s Asian Junior Women’s Championship. In the past years, we have consistently displayed a strong showing in softball across all fronts – surprising the other Asian countries and winning their admiration and respect. We are now the team to beat in Asia, after Japan,” Lhuillier said.
He adds, “What I can assure the visiting players is that they will enjoy their time playing here in the Philippines. I also issued a challenge to our Junior Blu Girls not only to give their best to bring glory and honor to our country – but also to serve as gracious hosts and comrades to the visiting teams.”
The Philippines is playing against China for game 1 and against Thailand for game 5 as part of the opening day matches on May 13. Softball powerhouse Japan, meanwhile, will play against Malaysia and Korea on the same day.
This year’s tourney is organized by ASAPHIL for the Softball Confederation of Asia (SCA) and the World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC) and supported by Cebuana Lhuillier Sports, Philippine Sports Confederation (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The Philippines is currently enjoying a resurgence of sorts in softball, following back-to-back victories by the RP Blu Girls in 2017, including their silver finish during the 11th Asian Women Softball Championship in Taichung, Taiwan. In late April, the RP Blu Boys demolished the competition to bring home the silver medal during the recently-concluded 10th Asian Men Softball Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia.