Baseball in the Philippines may not dominate the sports scene, but it’s carving its place one pitch at a time, with the Philippine Wildcats leading the charge. This scrappy team of young talents is taking their love for the game international, representing the country on the Asia-Pacific stage with their goal set on advancing to the prestigious PONY World Series in the United States.

Curious about what makes the Wildcats special? Here’s a deeper look into a team that’s swinging for a brighter future, not just for themselves, but for Philippine baseball as a whole.

Who are the Philippine Wildcats?

Since their inception in 2018, the Philippine Wildcats have been representing the Philippines in PONY international tournaments. (PONY—Protect Our Nation’s Youth—is an international organization that promotes baseball and softball for young athletes worldwide.)

The current team consists of 12 kids, all aged 9 years and under, from Marist School, Ateneo de Manila, and Antipolo:

• Sebastian Raphael Aligada
• Alliyah Lorraine Bautista
• Water Buntan
• Braven Paul Pio Busto
• Liam Colin Xavier Dela Cruz
• Iñigo Dela Paz
• Rafael Zion Florentino
• Sebastian Hipol
• Keen Agape Macarasig
• Alyx Jerell Malabanan
• Matthew Alvaro Panis
• David Grant Rañada

While some players are no strangers to international play (having participated in smaller tournaments like a kiddie league in Singapore), this competition in Asia represents their first crack at a serious, high-stakes tournament.

As of this writing, the team is in Shanghai, playing to qualify for the US leg of the PONY tournament in July. As the only international delegation playing against Chinese teams, the stakes are high, but so is the Wildcats’ determination.

Meet the team behind the team

A great team needs guidance, and the Wildcats are fortunate to have a powerhouse leadership crew working behind the scenes.

Delegation Head Eric Gesmundo, a former national player, leads the charge. Alongside him is Coach Tony Olayvar, a former champion coach whose winning track record with previous Wildcats delegations speaks for itself. Jayson Santiago, the Head Coach, and Jason Hipol, the Assistant Coach, bring valuable insights from their time as UAAP players for DLSU and UP, while Patrick Hipol, the team manager, ensures that every logistical detail is flawlessly handled.

Why baseball deserves more love in the Philippines

Believe it or not, there was a time when baseball thrived in the Philippines, particularly in the post-war era of the 1940s and 1950s. It remained a beloved sport well into the mid-1970s, but political conflicts among baseball officials began to take a toll.

From 1971 to 1994, the Philippines was absent from international baseball competitions. The sport faced numerous challenges, including a lack of financial support, fewer venues, and minimal media coverage. For decades, baseball struggled to find its footing, gradually fading into the background of the country’s sports scene.

Now, teams like the Wildcats are working to change that narrative. Filipino communities and baseball enthusiasts alike are starting to recognize that the Philippines is home to untapped baseball talent. The Wildcats are a living testament to that potential, fielding scholars and providing opportunities for kids who might not otherwise have the chance to step onto the diamond.

Thanks to the generosity of their sponsors—Jollibee, Weir, Arthaland, KalosPH, Rising Tigers, Berocca, and 40Snaps Studios—the Wildcats have everything they need to focus on excelling in China. And with every tournament they play, they aim to garner more attention, not just for their team but also for the Philippines’ baseball potential.

Baby steps to baseball greatness

If the Wildcats succeed at this level, it won’t just be a personal victory for the team; it’ll be a win for Philippine baseball as a whole. “Every baby step we take in supporting these kids is a step toward furthering the sport in the country,” says Patrick Hipol, team manager.

And he’s right. While the Wildcats’ campaign for glory in China is the immediate goal, their larger objective is to inspire a broader interest in baseball across the nation. “This is about more than just winning tournaments,” Patrick continues. “If we win here, we build momentum for sponsorships and pave the way to truly promote baseball in the Philippines.”

Follow the Philippine Wildcats’ progress on Facebook and cheer them on as they aim to secure their spot in the PONY World Series.