In December 2025, the Philippines national team successfully defended their regional title at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. Coached by Orlando Binarao, the team swept the elimination round with a 6–0 record before defeating host Thailand 5–3 in the final to clinch the gold medal. This victory marked the team's third consecutive SEA Games championship, following titles in 2011 and 2019.[3]
Baseball has a long history in the Philippines, with the sport's introduction in the islands dating back to 1898.[5] At the inaugural 1954 Asian Baseball Championship, the Philippines finished in first place.[citation needed]
From the 1960s through the 1970s, baseball was widely popular in the country. Between 1955 and 1971, the Philippines finished either third or fourth in seven of the eight Asian Baseball Championship editions held during that period. The tournaments were typically dominated by Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan (later competing as Chinese Taipei). The Philippines' last podium finish of this era was in 1971, when the team placed third.[6]
2000s
Philippine players walking off the field after their first ever game in the Intercontinental Cup in Taichung, Taiwan. They lost to South Korea 10–0.
The Philippines participated in the 2003 Asian Baseball Championship, which also served as an Olympic qualifier, placing fifth. The national team achieved better results at the 2005 Southeast Asian Games, winning the gold medal by defeating Thailand 11–1 in the final.[6]
In November 2006, the Philippines competed in the Intercontinental Cup but failed to win a match in nine games; their best result was a 5–1 loss against South Korea in the seventh-place game. At the 2006 Asian Games, the team finished last in a field of six, though they performed competitively, scoring nine runs over five contests.[6]
During the preliminary round of the 2007 Asian Baseball Championship, the Philippines remained undefeated, securing wins against Pakistan (2–0) and Hong Kong (4–1) before drawing with Thailand. Before the final round of the Asian Championship resumed, the Philippines attempted to defend their title at the 2007 Southeast Asian Games but suffered a close 5–4 defeat to Thailand, who emerged as champions. In the Asian Baseball Championship final round, the Philippines went winless against the "Big Three" Asian teams: Japan, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei.[6]
Based on their performance at the 2007 Asian Baseball Championship, the team qualified for the "A" round of the subsequent tournament, where they faced Japan, Thailand, and Indonesia.[6]
The two organizations cooperated to hold open tryouts—the first in decades—to select the national team members.[8] The resulting team captured the gold medal at the 2011 SEA Games, defeating host Indonesia 3–1 in the final.[7]
In 2012, the Philippines participated in the qualifiers for the 2013 World Baseball Classic but did not advance.[7] Following the death of long-time PABA president Hector Navasero in late 2013, Marty Eizmendi was elected as the new president. The association continued to grapple with financial and management difficulties during this transition.[8]
The team successfully defended its regional standing by winning the 2015 East Asia Cup in Jakarta with a 10–0 victory over Indonesia. This win qualified them for the 2015 Asian Baseball Championship; however, the team withdrew from the continental tournament citing financial constraints, allowing the runner-up Indonesia to participate instead.[8]
The team concluded the decade by retaining the gold medal at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, continuing their reign after the sport's eight-year absence from the regional meet.[11]
2020s
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippines national team did not compete in international tournaments from 2020 to 2022. The team returned to action in May 2023 by participating in the East Asia Baseball Cup. Under manager Rodel Mangubat, the team swept the tournament and defeated Hong Kong 10–2 in the final to capture their fifth title in history.[12]
This victory qualified the team for the 2025 Asian Baseball Championship held in Fuzhou, China, where they faced strong competition from Japan and China in the group stage. The team finished the tournament in sixth place overall.[13]
In December 2025, the team competed in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. Now coached by Orlando Binarao, the Philippines swept the elimination round with a 6–0 record, highlighted by a 10-inning walk-off victory (8–7) against host Thailand and a shutout win over Laos.[14] In the gold medal match, the team defeated Thailand again 5–3 to secure a perfect 7–0 tournament sweep, extending their reign as regional champions for a third consecutive contested edition.[15]
Notable players during this period include pitcher Junmar Diarao, infielder Lord Aragorn de Vera, and outfielder Carlos Alberto Muñoz, who were key contributors to the team's resurgence.
1Officially known as 'Republic of China'; competing as 'Chinese Taipei'
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Philippines 
(11 November 2025) [1] 
1st (1 time, in 1954 )
