Philippine sports is set for a packed July as Team Manila-Philippines defends its world softball crown while the ASICS Meta: Time Trials makes its local debut.

Team Manila aims for a historic three-peat at the Pony International Girls Softball World Series from July 17 to July 20 in McAllen, Texas. Only three players return from last year’s dominant title run, where they swept eight games and shut out host team Glory Adkins Bejar in the finals, 6-0.

Coach Sheirylou Valenzuela expects a tougher field, with Puerto Rico and Latin American squads leading the challengers.

“The Puerto Rican coach told me, ‘You beat us last time, we’re coming back for you,’” Valenzuela said in Filipino during the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Filipino runners will test their speed at the Asics Meta: Time Trials on Oct. 19 at Vermosa Sports Complex in Cavite. The 10-kilometer race, launched in Spain in 2022, offers a fast, flat course aimed at helping athletes of all levels chase personal bests.

“Its success in Southeast Asia shows the potential here,” said Sonak executive Diego De Dios. The event expects 3,500 participants and will feature Asics’ latest performance technology.