The Philippine national baseball team guns for a spot in the Super Round in the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan from 19 September to 4 October to improve on its previous showing.

Philippine Amateur Baseball Association vice president Manny de Castro told DAILY TRIBUNE that they need to finish at least second in Group A to surpass the squad’s fifth-place finish in the 2023 Asiad in Hangzhou China.

The Philippines will face the defending champion and hosts Japan, Asian Games silver medalist China and Palestine as they vie in Group A.

Meanwhile, Group B will have South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Thailand.

“Our primary objective is to advance to the Super Round, which means we have to finish either first or second in our bracket. Of course, Japan is the favorite, but we’ll still play to win,” De Castro said in a phone conversation.

“We also have to face Palestine and China, and we really need to beat them to advance to the Super Round.

De Castro said they are still optimistic they will be able to pick a country for their training camp for the Asiad.

“Training is already ongoing. We’re hoping to hold a training camp during the first week of August. Hopefully, it will be held overseas,’ De Castro said.

“We’re still finalizing the schedule and the host country, and we’ll announce the details as soon as everything is confirmed.”