Blu Girls upbeat of podium finish in softball

JAKARTA – From sixth place in 1998 and 2002 to fifth in 2010 and to fourth in 2014, the Philippine Blu Girls are now geared-up to go all the way to nail an elusive first medal in the Asian Games softball competition.

Strong showings in the 2017 World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma and in the Canada Cup Softball Championship could well be an indication of a breakthrough for the Blu Girls here.

The ASAPHIL-formed team starts chase of Asiad glory versus Hong Kong at 8 p.m. tonight (9 p.m. in Manila) at the GBK Softball Field.

The Blu Girls play a tough double-header against China and South Korea tomorrow, take on Japan Tuesday, then tackle another doubleheader against Indonesia and Chinese Taipei in their elims stint in this seven-team softball competition.

Fil-Am recruits have toughened up the ASAPHIL team although monsoon rains disrupted their training days prior to the Jakarta Asiad.

Nonetheless, the Phl batters are hopeful of making the stepladder semifinals.

“With the success we had in our last tournaments, we think a podium finish is doable,” said assistant coach Kiko Diaz.

Francesca Altamonte, Angelie Ursabia, Mary Ann Antolihao, Riflayca Basa, Mia Macapagal, Cristy Joy Roa, Shaira Damasing, Riezel Calumbres, Arianne Vallestero, Kaith Ezra Jalandoni, Garnet Agnes Blando, Hailey Cassandra Decker, Skylynne Kopia Ellazaz, Danielle Lindsey Gilmore, Reese Miquelle Guevarra, Sierra Arlyna Lange, Chelsea Kaitlyn Suitos compose the team that will try to surpass the country’s fourth-place finish behind Japan, Chinese Taipei and China in 2014.

The Blu Girls came close to snaring a medal in Incheon but dropped their semifinal match with China, 0-3.

 In the World Cup and in the Canada Cup, the Blu Girls had a fighting showing, beating higher-ranked opponents. ASAPHIL is in a journey to qualify for the 2020 Olympics.