The preseason preparations of the Blue Batters went into high gear when they joined the 2016 Hong Kong International Baseball Open which ran from December 17–20, 2016. The tournament was sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation ("WBSC"). Eight teams from China, Hong Kong, Philippines, Russia and Taiwan participated. The Blue Batters, representing the Philippines swept the Group A elimination round and beat Group B's top seed Hong Kong in the Finals to emerge as the 2016 champions of this international tournament.