MANILA – Team Manila-Philippines seeks to defend its title at the PONY International Girls Softball World Series set July 17-20 in McAllen, Texas.

The Filipina softbelles retained the U18 championship last year following an eighth-game sweep of the tournament.

"Our team is competitive, even there are only three carryovers from last year's lineup," coach Sheirylou Valenzuela said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum Tuesday at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

Valenzuela considered Puerto Rico as one of the biggest threats in the Philippines’ bid for a third straight crown.

Manila councilor and Team Manila Softball President Rafael “Che” Borromeo and team manager Giovanni Mapa also attended the weekly session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, MILO, Smart/PLDT, and the country’s 24/7 app ArenaPlus.

“It's not yet sure but someone said that Japan and China might join. Puerto Rico and Mexico are strong title contenders. Hopefully, we can win the title again with your prayers and help," Borromeo said.

Mapa said most of the players came from Adamson, La Salle, and Bacolod. The team, which has been in training for about two months now, will leave on July 14.

"The challenge now is that we are the defending champions, we will have to face many strong teams," he added.

A total of 27 teams are participating in this year’s edition to be bracketed into several groups. (PNA)