Baseball United has signed Lord Aragorn De Vera and Efril Ian Mercado to the Mumbai Cobras, making them the first players born in the Philippines to compete in a professional baseball league. Both athletes will take the field in Dubai this November as the league launches its historic inaugural season.
De Vera, 22 years old, is one of the Philippines’ top shortstops and a standout from De La Salle University, while Mercado, 24 years old, brings speed and power as a left-handed outfielder from the University of the Philippines. Both have represented their country in international competitions and are now set to make history on a global stage.
The Mumbai Cobras will play their first games on 14 November in Dubai as part of the 'Subcontinent Series' against the Karachi Monarchs. The month-long season will feature four teams, culminating in the championship 'United Series' in mid-December.
This milestone also highlights the growing reach of baseball in the region, bringing together diverse talent and audiences while offering Filipino players a historic opportunity to shine on the professional stage.