Blu Girls yield to Venezuelans

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Blu Girls sank in the quagmire of the Venezuelans’ barrage of runs and suffered a stinging 8-5 defeat in yesterday’s start of the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup group stage in Lima, Peru.

Filipina pitchers Royevel Palma, Sydney Lynn Vitangcol and April Mae Minanga couldn’t handle their heavy batting foes and allowed a total of 10 hits that resulted in eight decisive runs.

The Cebueana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls remained in contention though but would have to finish in the top four of their six-nation Group B to advance to the playoff round.

“We knew coming into this tournament that every game would be a challenge because we are competing against some of the best softball nations in the world,” said ASAPHIL president Jean Henri Lhuillier.

“The Blu Girls have always shown resilience in the face of adversity, and I believe they will respond with determination.”