India Breaking News reported Taiwan Claims Softball Asia Cup Title, that Taiwan claimed victory over the Philippines to secure the Softball Asia Cup title. Taiwan triumphed with a score of 8-2 against the Philippines in the 2023 Mixed Slow Pitch Asia Cup, clinching the championship on May 27th, a Saturday. The competition saw teams from Taiwan, Singapore, China, the Philippines, and host nation Thailand vying for the title across four days in Pattaya, a coastal town.

The Central News Agency has confirmed that the top three teams from this tournament will advance to represent Asia at the World Cup of the sport.

India Breaking News Taiwan Claims Softball Asia Cup Title

Taiwan kicked off the tournament with a strong performance, defeating Singapore 12-5 on the first day, May 24. The following day saw Taiwan overcoming both host Thailand 17-8 and the Philippines 12-8 in two separate matches. The game on May 26, Friday, proved more challenging with the lead fluctuating before Taiwan overcame China with a close 9-8 victory, securing wins in all their matches at the Asian Cup.

Taiwan beats Philippines

In the crucial final held on May 27, Taiwan initially fell behind but swiftly recovered and sealed the win with an 8-2 score.

Training for the competition involved a rigorous two-month schedule, with women practicing during weekdays and men on weekends. With approximately six months left until the end of the year, Taiwan is preparing to face teams from Europe and the Americas at the World Cup.

The Philippines team, coached by Ana Santiago and sponsored by Cebuana Lhuillier, faced their first setback after previously defeating China 7-6 and Singapore 15-6. This defeat by a score of 12-8 to Chinese Taipei was particularly disheartening as a victory would have directly secured a spot in this year’s World Cup, the location of which is yet to be decided. Nonetheless, Santiago’s team still had two opportunities to achieve their goal, either by defeating Thailand at the next deadline or by securing third place in the ongoing matches. Jean Henri Lhuillier, president of the Philippine Amateur Softball Association, expressed confidence in the team’s current performance and their close proximity to a World Cup berth.

Despite their loss to Chinese Taipei, the Philippines team maintained a chance to qualify directly for the World Cup by defeating host Thailand. “We are determined to win and secure our place in the World Cup. We won’t let this chance pass us by,” Coach Santiago affirmed.

After overcoming China and Singapore in their initial matches, the Philippines qualified for this year’s Mixed Slowpitch Softball World Cup, hosted by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC).

Softball Asia Cup title

Though the team ultimately earned a silver medal, the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) praised their remarkable teamwork and determination throughout the tournament via a Facebook post. Jean Henri Lhuillier lauded the team’s efforts and the pride they brought to their country.

Supported by Cebu Landlily Bank, the Philippine team defeated the formidable Chinese team 7-6 and then Singapore 15-6. After a loss to Chinese Taipei with a score of 12-8, they went on to defeat host Thailand 31-11, advancing them to the gold medal match against Chinese Taipei.