The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed RP Blu Girls
capped a hard-fought campaign at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan,
finishing fourth overall after falling to Chinese Taipei, 12-2, in the battle
for bronze on October 3 at the Anjo
Softball Ground. While the Filipinas narrowly missed a place on the podium,
their run saw them battle through early setbacks, string together crucial
victories and fight their way into medal contention.
Chinese Taipei established control early,
scoring four runs in the opening inning before adding eight in the second. The
Blu Girls refused to go quietly, responding with two runs in the third inning.
Nicole Adra Hammoude delivered both RBIs, recording a hit and scoring once,
while Mylia Isabel Perez also crossed home plate. Ma. Angelu Gabriel and Reyae
Mae Villamin added a hit apiece as the Philippines finished with four hits
against Chinese Taipei’s 13.
Amateur Softball Association of the
Philippines (ASAPHIL) President and Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean
Henri Lhuillier commended the national team for the fight and determination it
showed throughout the Games. “Of course, we wanted to see the Blu Girls come
home with a medal, but this campaign gave us many reasons to be proud. They
faced some of the strongest teams in Asia, fought their way back after a
difficult start, and never stopped competing for the flag. That resilience is
what defines this team. We will continue to support them, build on everything
we learned here, and keep working toward the day Philippine softball finally
reaches that Asian Games podium,” Lhuillier said.
The bronze medal game brought an end to a
campaign marked by resilience from the Filipinas. After opening with difficult
losses to Japan and Chinese Taipei, the Blu Girls responded with three straight
victories, beating Korea, 7-3, blanking Thailand, 7-0, and dominating
Singapore, 10-0. A 7-0 setback against eventual finalist China followed, but
the Philippines stayed in the medal hunt and defeated Hong Kong, China, 9-3, to
earn its shot at bronze.
Japan ultimately claimed the women’s
softball gold medal after defeating the People’s Republic of China, 7-0, in the
championship game later on October 3 at the Anjo Softball Ground. The result
gave Japan the top spot on the podium, while China settled for the silver medal
and Chinese Taipei secured bronze following its victory over the Philippines.
With another high-level international
campaign behind them, the Blu Girls leave the Games with valuable experience to
build on as they continue their pursuit of a breakthrough medal for Philippine
softball.