The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed RP Blu Girls continued their impressive turnaround at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, cruising to a dominant 10-0 victory over Singapore on September 30 at the Anjo Softball Ground. The Filipinas have now won three consecutive games, following victories over Korea, 7-3, and Thailand, 7-0, after opening their campaign with back-to-back defeats against Japan and Chinese Taipei. The winning streak keeps the Philippines firmly in contention as the preliminary round enters its crucial final stretch.
Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) President and Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier hailed the team’s sustained response after its challenging start to the tournament. “Three straight wins show the character and determination of this team. What is encouraging is that we are seeing contributions from across the lineup, backed by strong pitching and defense. The Blu Girls understand what is at stake, and we are proud to see them continue fighting for every opportunity to bring honor to the Philippines. We remain behind them all the way as they pursue our goal of a historic Asian Games medal,” Lhuillier said. Ahead of the Games, Lhuillier had similarly expressed confidence in the team’s growth and reiterated his support for its pursuit of the Philippines’ first Asian Games softball medal.
The Blu Girls overwhelmed Singapore with a balanced offensive attack, collecting 13 hits in the shortened four-inning contest. Skylynne Kopia Ellazar went 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs, while Mylia Isabel Perez delivered two hits, two RBIs, and two runs. Nicole Adra Hammoude added two RBIs and scored twice, while Alyssa Marie Daniell also drove in two runs. Francesca Altomonte and team captain Ma. Charlotte Sales each contributed an RBI, with Ma. Angelu Gabriel adding two hits and a run as the girls consistently found ways to get runners on base.
The Philippine pitching staff was just as commanding, holding Singapore to one hit and zero runs. Glory Alonzo worked two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out one, before Mary Joy Alpitche took over and delivered two hitless innings with three strikeouts. The Blu Girls’ pitching and defense have now posted consecutive shutouts, building on their 7-0 blanking of Thailand a day earlier.
The Blu Girls will have little time to slow down as they return to action against the People’s Republic of China on October 1 at 11:00 AM at the Anjo Softball Ground. With three straight victories providing momentum, the Filipinas will look to carry their strong form into another crucial preliminary-round matchup before closing their elimination campaign against Hong Kong, China, on October 2.
