The Philippines is gearing up for an elite competition in the group stage of the 2024 Under-18 Women's Softball World Cup.

The tournament, which will take place in Dallas, Texas from August 29 to September 2, marks a significant milestone for the Philipppine women's under-18 team as they take on the best young softball players in the world for a chance to make the final round of the World Cup.

Jean Henri Lhuillier, president of the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (Asaphil) and chief executive officer of Cebuana Lhuillier, expressed his enthusiasm for the team's qualification in the group phase.

The Philippine women’s under-18 team with Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president Jean Henri Lhuillier (center). CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

"Our under-18 Blu Girls are a talented group. This is a great opportunity for them to learn and gain experience and share the exceptional talent we have in Philippine softball," he said.

"I believe they will make a significant impact and continue to elevate the sport in our country."

Competing in Group C, which probably is the toughest in the tournament, the Cebuana Lhuillier-backed team will clash with Australia, Canada, Ireland, Mexico and host USA.

The group phase will be played in a round-robin format with the top two teams in each of the four groups advancing in the WBSC U-18 Women's Softball World Cup Finals slated in 2025 in Dallas, USA.

The Blu Girls begin their quest against Team Australia on August 29.