THE selection process and the training of members of the national team that could be sent to qualifying tournaments for the 2017 Asian Games will start April.
That’s when the coming season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines baseball tournament concludes and players from competing teams will be available.
Philippine Amateur Baseball Association secretary-general Chito Loyzaga said this as they await the start of the UAAP season 80 tournament this February.
“I’m sure that most of the players who will be joining will come from teams in the UAAP,” said Loyzaga.
The Ateneo Blue Batters will defend the crown after emerging undefeated last season.
Recently, the Blue Batters won the title in the recent WBSC Hong Kong International Baseball Open 2017 that was held from Dec. 14 to 17 in Kowloon, Hong Kong.
This gave the Blue Batters their third title in three appearances in the tournament.
The Blue Batters also won in 2014 and 2016.
They played against three other clubs hailing from Hong Kong, China and Australia.
The Blue Batters opened their international stint against Sydney University Baseball Club, with Radito Banzon leading Ateneo to a 12-7 victory over Sydney.