The Australian leg of the World Baseball Classic Qualifiers gets underway tonight and the Philippines team will be looking to spring an upset on Australia.
The four nation tournament runs for the next four days and only the winner can qualify for next year's World Classic tournament.
With a large Filipino community living close to the venue in Western Sydney it's going to be a big celebration, win lose or draw.
The Philippines baseball team isn't competing in the World Baseball Classic qualifiers just to make up the numbers.
Also taking part are New Zealand and South Africa, but it's the first game against the tournament favourites Australia that the Philippines squad is focusing on.
Angelo Songco plays at first base and he's confident there's an upset on the cards.
"You know we're ready to play. We've heard we don't have a chance in this qualifier and you know that's the chip on the shoulder that we're going to take. And we're going to catch some people sleeping so you can guarantee that and we're here to win and nothing else."
With Baseball no longer part of the Olympics, the World Baseball Classic has even more significance.
It's being staged at the Sydney Olympics Baseball complex in Blacktown and although they go into the match as underdogs, the Philippines team has plenty of backing.
Violi Calvert works for a community radio station in the area and she explains why.
"There is about 70,000-80,000 Filipino-Australians living in the Blacktown area. [Reporter: So really they could fill the stadium up on their own?] I hope they do all come!"
With around half the Philippines squad born outside the country, the tournament is a golden chance for many to reconnect with their heritage.
Brad Haynal has Major League Baseball experience in the United States and success for him in the tournament works on both a cultural and professional level.
"Everything about this situation is so good for me in my career but more importantly than that I'm just happy I get to meet new guys who share my Filipino heritage, because like you know there's not a lot of those guys playing baseball out there. So for all of us to get into one place and kind of vibe off each other and have fun it's been such a blast. I'm having so much fun."
A good indication of that team spirit can be heard in an impromptu rap session while the squad waited for the team bus after training...
The Philippines' sporting landscape is dominated by one man - boxer Manny Pacquiao.
That fact and the nations' love affair with basketball means sports like baseball don't get much of a look in.
But for Brad Haynal, the thought they'll have some voices singing for them in the crowd can only help.
"They're the home team here but if we've got a little corner up there of Filipino's it's not going to hurt us. We're going to be in our own little dug-out down here kind of in our own little island so if we get any type of crowd for us it's going to help, it's not going to hurt. I'm really looking forward to it."
The tournament concludes on Sunday.
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