The Philippines bounced back from an opening-day loss to defending champion Japan with back-to-back victories over Cuba and Great Britain on Wednesday, moving into solo third place in the 2027 WBSC Women’s Baseball World Cup at the ASPAC Secondary Stadium in Taiwan.

After falling to Japan, 3-0, on Tuesday, the Filipinas made history twice in one day, blanking Cuba, 6-0, in the afternoon before defeating fellow debutants Great Britain, 6-2, later in the day.

The victory over Cuba marked the Philippines’ first-ever win in Women’s Baseball World Cup history.

Against Cuba, Christine Bautista turned in a strong start on the mound, allowing just one hit over four innings to keep the Cubans scoreless.

The Philippines immediately took advantage of an error in the bottom of the first, with Richelle Toledo reaching base before scoring the country’s first-ever World Cup run on a base hit by Martine Francisco.

The Filipinas then broke the game open with a five-run fourth inning.

Angel Bedaño started the rally with a walk before the Philippines used aggressive baserunning and a series of well-placed bunts to pile on the runs.

Helga Campos reached on a fielder’s choice before Madaelene Domaug and Chastene Jover delivered consecutive bunt singles to bring home Campos and Bedaño. Nica Velasco followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Jover, while Mae Langga’s single brought Toledo home for the final run of the frame.

Bautista shut the door on Cuba in the top of the fifth before handing the ball to the bullpen as the Philippines completed the historic shutout.

The Filipinas carried that momentum into their meeting with Great Britain, striking for four runs on four hits in the opening inning.

Francisco doubled to left field to drive in Toledo and Velasco, while Ivy Capistrano and Shyla Celis followed with back-to-back doubles to give the Philippines a commanding early advantage.

The Filipinas added another run in the second when Cassandra Inot scored on a wild pitch, before Erika Fernandez scored in the fourth on Bedaño’s sacrifice bunt.

Great Britain finally got on the board in the bottom of the second after Darier Malone reached on a throwing error and eventually scored on Bethany Casson’s fielder’s choice.

The British added another run in the third when Amy Trask singled home Laura Hirai, cutting the deficit to 5-2.

But Nichole Padasas kept Great Britain from mounting a comeback, working through four innings before Jojielyn Lim took over in the fifth.

The Philippines held Great Britain scoreless in the final two innings to secure their second historic victory of the tournament.

The Filipinas’ two wins came a day after their World Cup debut against powerhouse Japan.

Japan took a 3-0 lead after four innings, with Miyu Shimizu dominating the Philippine hitters by striking out the first eight batters she faced and pitching three perfect innings.

Japan scored once in the first inning before adding two more runs in the second and fourth.

The game was then suspended after four innings because of a lighting and mechanical issue. With the game passing 11 p.m. local time, Japan was declared the 3-0 winner.

Despite that setback, the Philippines quickly regrouped Wednesday and now sits alone in third place after making an emphatic mark in its first-ever Women’s Baseball World Cup appearance.

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Five young Filipino baseball players from Metro Manila and Rizal represented the country at the 32nd World Children’s Baseball Fair in Narita, Chiba, Japan, joining young athletes from around the world for nine days of baseball, cultural exchange, and international friendship.

Representing the Philippines were Bucky Aligada of Quezon City; Francis Melvin Alquiros of Antipolo City; Matthew Casamorin of Marikina City; Joaquin Dela Merced of Antipolo City; and Keann Jacob Llanes of Parañaque City.

Held from July 30 to August 7, the 2026 WCBF brought together young baseball players from 11 countries. The Filipino delegation took part in six days of baseball clinics, as well as cultural and exchange activities that gave the boys an opportunity to experience Japan while forming friendships with children from different parts of the world.

For the five boys, however, the experience ultimately became about much more than improving their baseball skills.

“The biggest lesson I learned was how to make new friends,” said Aligada. “Most of them were from other countries which made me happy because I rarely make new friends outside of my school.”

Alquiros said the experience taught him how baseball could bridge differences in language and culture.

“Baseball is not only about playing the game, but also about friendship, teamwork, respect, and learning about other people and cultures,” he said.

He recalled feeling homesick during his first two days away from his family before gradually becoming more comfortable — an experience that taught him independence, courage, and a willingness to try new things.

For Casamorin, some of the most valuable lessons extended beyond the baseball field.

“I learned that baseball is not the most valuable, but discipline and kindness is the most valuable lesson to learn because the discipline and kindness we learned will stay with us forever,” he said.

Casamorin also treasured the opportunity to learn more about baseball, have fun, and make friends with children from different countries — experiences he said he would remember and cherish after returning to the Philippines.

Dela Merced similarly came home with a broader appreciation of what the sport could teach him.

“My biggest lesson from WCBF is that baseball is not only about winning, but also about teamwork, discipline, respect, and making friends with other players from different countries,” he said.

Llanes, meanwhile, described the experience as an opportunity to appreciate every moment and the relationships formed along the way.

“The biggest lesson I learned in WBCF is to enjoy every moment and treasure the friendships I make,” Llanes wrote. “I also learned that hard work and teamwork can help us achieve our goals.”

Among his favorite memories was getting to see and play on a baseball field in Japan for the first time, an experience he said he would never forget.

Baseball as a Bridge

Founded in 1990 through the efforts of Japanese baseball legend Sadaharu Oh and American baseball great Hank Aaron, the World Children’s Baseball Fair was created with two goals at its heart: to help spread and develop baseball around the world and to use the sport to build friendship and goodwill among children of different nationalities.

Those goals were reflected in the experiences of the five Filipino participants.

The boys took part in six baseball clinics at Jube Sports Field Nakadai, where they were exposed to different drills, techniques, and approaches to teaching the game.

Their schedule also took them beyond the baseball field. Participants went bowling, toured Naritasan Shinshoji, visited Narita International Airport for a Japan Airlines aircraft tour, and went to ZOZO Marine Stadium to experience professional baseball in Japan.

For young players experiencing Japan and its baseball culture firsthand, the combination of training, cultural immersion, and interaction with children from other countries made the lessons much bigger than anything that could be taught through a drill.

They came home talking about friendship, discipline, kindness, respect, independence, teamwork, and gratitude — and about how baseball allowed them to connect with children they might otherwise never have met.

Young Ambassadors for Baseball

The experience also carries a purpose beyond their time in Japan.

The boys now have the opportunity to bring what they learned back to their own teams and communities — from Quezon City and Marikina to Antipolo and Parañaque — sharing the habits, values, and love for the game they gained through WCBF and, at a remarkably young age, beginning to serve as ambassadors for baseball.

Coach Anthony Dizer, who accompanied the Philippine delegation as its chaperone, believes that is where much of the lasting value of the experience lies.

“The experience should not end when the plane lands back in Manila,” Dizer said.

“They can bring the drills, habits, discipline and attitudes they picked up in Japan back to their teammates. They can tell other young players what baseball is like outside the Philippines. In their own small way, they can become ambassadors for the game.”

That desire to pass the experience on is already evident among the boys themselves.

Alquiros said he hopes that one day he can help other children receive the same opportunity.

“I hope that someday I can give back and help other kids experience the same opportunity that you gave me,” he wrote.

For five boys still developing as players themselves, the opportunity to influence and inspire other young athletes may prove to be one of the most meaningful things they brought home.

Gratitude to WCBF, PABA, and Coach Anthony

The five players expressed their gratitude to the World Children’s Baseball Fair for giving them the opportunity to learn the game, experience Japan, and build friendships with children from around the world.

They likewise thanked the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association (PABA) for giving them the opportunity to represent the Philippines.

Dela Merced described himself as “very grateful and proud” to have been part of WCBF, while Casamorin said he returned to the Philippines happy and would remember and cherish his time in Japan.

The boys also expressed their appreciation for Dizer, who accompanied the delegation and took responsibility for the five young players throughout their stay.

For the families who entrusted their children to the delegation thousands of kilometers away from home, his role went well beyond that of a chaperone. Dizer made sure the boys were where they needed to be, were eating properly, kept track of their belongings, and, most importantly, came home safely.

Alquiros thanked him for his “time, effort, patience, and guidance,” while Aligada summed up his gratitude simply: “Thank you Coach Anthony for taking care of us in Japan.”

For Dizer, watching over the boys also gave him a front-row seat to their growth.

“I saw five Filipino boys step outside what was familiar to them and embrace a different culture, a demanding schedule and new ways of learning the game they love,” he said. “I watched them represent their families, their teams and the Philippines.”

The five left Manila as young ballplayers given an extraordinary opportunity to represent their country.

They came home with new skills, new friendships, greater independence, and a deeper appreciation of what baseball can mean beyond competition.

Now comes the opportunity to pass those lessons on — to their teammates, their communities, and the next generation of young Filipino ballplayers.

Dizer perhaps summed up the nine-day experience best:

“I went to Japan thinking my job was to watch over five young baseball players. I came home realizing that I had been given the privilege of watching five young ambassadors of Philippine baseball grow up a little bit right in front of me.”

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Ateneo High School baseball standout Aiden Lazaro has reached another milestone after embarking on a long-term elite baseball development pathway with the renowned IMG Academy.

Based in Bradenton, Florida, IMG Academy is one of the world’s premier sports training institutions, known for developing young athletes into elite competitors across various sports.

Among its notable alumni are Major League Baseball standouts James Wood and Chris Perez, 2026 sixth overall MLB Draft pick Zion Rose, and tennis legends Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Andre Agassi, and Maria Sharapova.

Interestingly, IMG Academy’s sister brand, IMG Tennis Management, represents Filipino tennis ace Alex Eala, whose sporting journey shares similarities with Lazaro’s.

Both athletes began playing their respective sports at a young age before committing to elite international training at 13 years old—Eala at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain, and Lazaro at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

IMG Academy’s decision to recruit Lazaro into its prestigious baseball program reflects its confidence in his long-term potential, built on years of consistent development and strong performances in the local and regional baseball scene.

Together with his hands-on and supportive mother, Shelly, Aiden recently spent considerable time at IMG’s 600-acre campus, where he completed the first phase of his long-term holistic athletic development program under the guidance of former Major League Baseball coaches, professional league coaches, players, and scouts.

The 13-year-old also has access to IMG’s Performance & Sports Science Center, which oversees his strength and conditioning, speed and agility, mobility, injury prevention, recovery, nutrition, sports science, and mental performance.

(C) IMG Academy

“I’m excited to immerse myself in a new training environment and learn from everyone at IMG Academy who helped develop some of the top athletes and professional players. I look forward to bringing home everything I gain from this so I can contribute more to my teams in the Philippines,” said Lazaro.

“I’m very thankful to IMG Academy for welcoming me into its baseball and holistic athletic training program and for working closely with my mom over the past few months to help create exciting opportunities for my future. I’m humbled by this privilege, and I’m ready to work hard to make the most of it.”

Lazaro is the first homegrown Filipino baseball player to become part of IMG Academy, marking a historic milestone not only in his own career but also for Philippine baseball.

A member of the Ateneo Blue Eagles program since kindergarten at the age of five, Lazaro has served as team captain across multiple age divisions. Last school year, he earned a spot on Ateneo’s high school roster, becoming the only Grade 7 student and the youngest player ever to compete in the UAAP baseball tournament. He is also a gold medalist in primary baseball, having represented the National Capital Region at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa.

As a member of the Philippine Under-12 National Team in 2024, Lazaro won the Most RBIs Award at the Asian Baseball Championship in Japan.

Aiden and his mother recently returned to the Philippines in time for the opening of the new academic year. Now a Grade 8 student at Ateneo, he serves as team captain of the school’s Pony Division baseball team.

Lazaro will continue to wear the Blue Eagle colors while proudly representing both his school and the Philippines in local and international competitions, pursuing a hybrid development program as he works toward his dream of one day playing in Major League Baseball.

As part of the long-term program, Aiden and his mother will regularly travel between Manila and Florida for the succeeding phases of his training at IMG Academy.

Throughout the year, IMG’s coaching staff will closely monitor his progress through online coaching while he is in Manila and conduct in-person training during semestral breaks and school holidays. This setup ensures that his athletic development complements, rather than disrupts, his academic studies and baseball commitments at Ateneo de Manila.

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