Lord Aragorn de Vera, Efril Ian Mercado set to make Philippine baseball history on the global stage

Philippine baseball is poised to make a significant mark on the international stage as Lord Aragorn de Vera and Efril Ian Mercado prepare to compete in the inaugural season of Baseball United, signing with the Mumbai Cobras. The duo will become the first locally trained Filipino players to participate in a professional baseball league spanning the Middle East and South Asia.

Baseball United, the region’s first professional baseball league, launches its maiden season this November, featuring five teams from India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). All games will be held in Dubai starting November 14.

De Vera rose to prominence during his collegiate career at De La Salle University, where he led the Green Batters to a UAAP Season 85 championship and a runner-up finish in Season 86. At just 22 years old, he has already represented the Philippines in key tournaments, including the Asian Baseball Championship and the East Asian Baseball Cup.

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“I started playing baseball because of my grandfather. In our city, baseball is very popular, so it felt natural—it’s the sport I grew up with,” De Vera shared during a recent media session.

Mercado, a recent graduate of the University of the Philippines, earned recognition as the Best Hitter in UAAP Season 87 and has also donned the national jersey in international competitions.

History in the making ✍️
Two of the Philippines’ top talents, Lord Aragorn De Vera and Efril Ian Mercado, are joining the @MumbaiCobras for BU Season One 🇵🇭⚾️

With nearly 1M Filipinos in the UAE, the support for De Vera and Mercado will be electric this season ⚾🔥 pic.twitter.com/pcZIn9TsyO

— Baseball United (@BaseballUnited) September 15, 2025

“My passion for baseball comes from family influence. My father and uncles played, and that love for the sport passed on to me, my cousins, and siblings. Baseball is the number one sport back home,” Mercado added.

Joining De Vera and Mercado on this historic journey is Vince Sagisi, a veteran of Philippine baseball who will serve as the bullpen coach for the Cobras. Sagisi brings extensive experience from his time as a Major League Baseball (MLB) scout and as head coach of the Philippine national team.

“This is a historic moment—not just for me, Lord, and Ian—but for the entire Filipino baseball community. This achievement inspires young Filipino players nationwide who dream of turning professional. Now they know it’s possible,” Sagisi remarked.

Both De Vera and Mercado recognize the weight of their roles and the opportunity to elevate Filipino baseball on the global stage.

“We have to perform at our best because our success opens doors for future Filipino players. It’s a chance to prove that Filipinos have what it takes. We hope fans support us in Dubai as we showcase Filipino talent to the world,” De Vera said.

Mercado echoed this sentiment, adding, “I want to show the results of our hard work. We need to prove what Filipino players are capable of so others can follow in our footsteps. We want to be the first—but definitely not the last.”

As Baseball United kicks off its inaugural season, the world will be watching as these Filipino pioneers take their shot at international professional baseball, carrying the hopes of a growing baseball nation.

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