Team Manila guns for Big League Softball title

No less than the championship.

That was the tall order for Team Manila as it participates in the 2015 Big League Softball World Series to be held in Sussex County, Delaware from August 2 to 9.

Coach Ana Santiago boomed in confidence with her team’s chances, saying that they “have a big chance to make it to the Finals.”

The 11-time UAAP champion coach who has handled the program since 2005 said that with the team’s preparation, it’s a big possibility that the country can once again come away with the title.

“Our preparation has been good. We played in the SEA Games and won the gold medal, so it’s a big advantage on our part,” Santiago said.

Five of those gold medal-winning Philippine team in Singapore will be part of the team whose core is composed of the five-peat winning Adamson Lady Falcons softball team.

UAAP Season 77 Rookie of the Year Florable Pabiana will serve as the team captain.

Team Manila is looking to improve from its fourth place finish last year and reclaim the Big League title it won back in 2012. The country, which will be serving as the representative of the Asia-Pacific region, placed as runner-up in 2008, 2010, and 2011.

Puerto Rico, Michigan, and California are the expected to be the country’s strongest opposition in the 10-team field.