RP Blu girls bow out of World Cup with tight loss vs Italy
Date Posted: August 18, 2023 at 11:26 AM
The RP Blu Girls failed to repeat their conquest of Italy in the XVII WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup after absorbing a 5-6 defeat against the hosts, July 27 at the Campo Comunale da Softball.
Italy, the world no. 8 team, quickly stifled the PH team’s momentum as they erected an early 3-1 lead in the second inning.
Prior their game, the Blu Girls scored an upset over Italy and New Zealand to advance to the tournament group playoffs.
Lady Falcon Elside dela Torre was able to tie the score at 3 but the Italians managed to break the tie once again.
The Philippine team secured another deadlock at 5 apiece before the home team punched one run. The Blue Girls were then unable to convert on their at-bats ‘til the end game, which also marked the end of their world cup campaign.
PH team head coach, who also serves as the AdU Softbelles’ head tactician, Ana Santiago, though, remained proud of her wards’ achievement.
“They’re competitive for placing fourth in a group that included three Olympic teams,” she said.
“We are inspired to work harder, all or nothing for a medal at the Asian Games.”
The team now set their sights on the incoming 19th Asian Games to be held this September 23 to October 8 in China.