Team Manila-Philippines displayed impressive form to pull off an 8-1 win over Texas Pride Elite Team and regain the 2026 PONY International World Series 18U Girls Softball Championships at the McAllen Softball Complex in McAllen City, Texas.

The national softbelles, the 2023 and 2024 PONY World Series back-to-back champions, gained the chance to represent the Asia Pacific Region in the prestigious tournament featuring the best teams from the United States as well as Mexico, Guatemala, Bahamas and Puerto Rico.

Team Manila softball president Rafael “Che” Borromeo said the Filipinas were so impressive that some of them are now being recruited by at least two universities in Texas.

In particular, he stressed that Texas A&M University and Texas Lutheran University are keen on acquiring the services of star pitcher Edralyn Borrico from Smokey Mountain in Tondo, who spearheaded the team’s win during the championship match.

Other Manila standouts being eyed are Mary Antoinette Sicapore, Angelica Jean Latriz, Claire Olarte and Rhea Manalo.

“We are very proud of the team’s accomplishments, the reason why we try our best to support the further advancement of these world-class youth athletes who come from poor families in the provinces with a promise of free college education from reputable universities in Manila,” said Borromeo, also a Manila councilor, referring to the team backed by Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, International Container Terminal Services Inc., San Miguel Corporation and Philippine Sports Commission.

The win was another feather in the cap of Team Manila, which was voted as the 2012 PSA Athletes of the Year for winning the country’s first-ever title in softball history in the 2012 Girls Big League Softball World Series in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

They also clinched the2017 and 2018 PSA Awards for being the pre-pandemic back-to-back PONY World Series Champions held in Hemet, California.