PHL earns invitation to 2013 world baseball qualifiers

The Philippines has been invited by Major League Baseball (MLB) to participate in the qualifying tournament for the 2013 World Baseball Classic (WBC). The quadrennial event is an international baseball tournament sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) where the world's best sluggers, including Major League players, are representing their home countries. In a press release published on MLB.com, the Philippines has been invited in the qualifying tournament that will take place next year with the venue still being determined. The Philippines - along with Brazil, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, South Africa, Spain and Thailand - were selected by a committee made up of the world's baseball stakeholders. Canada, Chinese Taipei, Panama and South Africa had participated in the 2009 edition of the games won by Japan but was relegated to the qualifying round after a winless campaign two years ago. The teams will be divided into four pools which will play in a six-game modified double elimination format. The groupings will be based on geographical location, competitive balance and regional rivalries. The four winners will join two-time defending champion Japan, Australia, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Italy, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, United States and Venezuela, which have already gained automatic berths after respectable finishes in the 2009 edition. The qualifying tournament is in line with the WBC's expansion of the tournament from 16 to 28 teams. "Growing the game of baseball around the globe is the primary objective of the (WBC). By expanding the competitive field of the 2013 tournament, we are demonstrating our commitment to this goal and reinforcing that the (WBC) is the premier showcase of baseball around the globe," said MLB commissioner Bud Selig in a statement. "The tournament is a unique experience for fans to witness the excitement of this great game and I encourage organizations around the world to bid for the chance to host this wonderful baseball event," he added. Bring back PHL's glory days Philippine Amateur Baseball Association (PABA) president Hector Navasero was elated with the invitation. "We hope that we can form a competitive team for this prestigious tournament. I'm hoping that our participation will bring back the glory of the Philippine baseball," said Navasero. He said that he had received MLB's letter inquiring about the country's capability of forming a team for the WBC. Some professional players in the MLB have Filipino blood and they can play for the Philippine team if they choose to. Two-time Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum, a member of the San Francisco Giants that won last year's World Series against the Texas Rangers, has a Filipina mother. Lefty pitcher Geno Espineli, who is also part of the Giants' organization playing in their minor league baseball team, is also of Filipino descent and has visited the country in 2008. - Reuben Terrado, JVP, GMA News