Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
Riding on the heels of the Filipinas’ historic first victory at the Women’s FOOTBALL World Cup on Tuesday in New Zealand, the Blu Girls came back to life and scored back to back wins at the Women Softball World Cup in Italy early Wednesday (Manila time).
The Philippines, ranked 26th in the world by the World Baseball Softball Confederation, lost its first three games in Group C against No. 5 Canada (0-5), No. 2 Japan (0-13) and No. 22 Venezuela (1-5) but bounced back with come-from-behind wins over No. 29 New Zealand (5-3) and No.8 Italy (6-5).
That win against the host country catapulted the Philippines in the playoffs for third place against Italy, which finished the group phase with a 3-2 record.
Had Italy won, the Italians would have taken the top spot in the group.
The winner of the Philippines-Italy match will face the loser of the Japan-Canada duel in the repechage where a spot in the eight-team final round is at stake.
New Zealand and Venezuela, tied with 1-4 records, will play in the placement game for fifth and sixth in the group.
“A sensational victory against world’s number 8 Italy in the Women’s Softball World Cup 2023 Group Stage,” said Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president Jean Henri Lhuillier.
“I’m confident the Blu Girls can do it again in the battle for third place.”
In Group A play in Ireland, USA thrashed Great Britain, 7-0, in the final while Australia outplayed the same Great Britain team in the repechage, 4-1.
In Group B action in Spain, Puerto Rico outplayed China, 2-1, in the final before China lost the repechage game to the Netherlands, 2-0.
Italy, by virtue of being the host country, automatically gets a berth in the final eight of the World Cup.
Defending champion United States and Australia will also advance from group A as well as China and the Netherlands from group B.
The sixth slot is for the group C champion and the seventh slot is for the repechage winner.
The eighth and last berth in the finals slated for next year will be given to a wildcard team.
The Philippines-Italy game in group C was initially scheduled at 5 p.m. on July 24 (Italy time) but was halted in the fourth inning with the score tied at 1-all because of rain.
It resumed at 8:30 p.m. on July 25, less than three hours after the Philippines scored its first victory over New Zealand, the same country the Philippine women’s football team has beaten 1-0 at the FIFA World Cup.
On top of the fifth inning, the host team scored three runs to take a 4-1 lead but the Blu Girls immediately tied the count at the bottom of the inning.
In the sixth inning, Erika Piancastelli hit a sacrifice fly ball to left field that sent Giulia Koutsoyanopulos home to give Italy a 5-4 lead.
In the seventh and final inning, Mary Joy Maguad of the Philippines stepped on base with a single and advanced to second after Italian pitcher Alice Nicolini walked Nicole Hammoude.
Alaiza Talisik then belted a single that allowed Maguad to score and tie the count at 5-all.
For the game’s final play, Ma. Angelu Gabriel reached base on a fielder’s choice but a miscue by Italian catcher Martha Gasparotto allowed Hammoude to score for the win.
Pitcher Royevel Palma was credited for the win.
This is the seventh time that the Blu Girls are competing in the World Cup since 1970 when they recorded their best finish at third place overall.
The other members of the Philippine women’s softball team are Glory Alonzo, Francesca Altomonte, Mary Ann Antolihao, Danica Aquino, Khrisha Genuary Cantor, Elise Dela Torre, Skylynne Ellazar, Ma. Celyn Ojare, Cristy Joy Roa, Ma. Charlotte Narces Sales, and Reyae Mae Villamin.
Ana Santiago is the head coach, while her assistants are Venerando Dizer, Anthony Santos, and Raymundo Pagkaliwagan. The pitching coach is Raymundo Pagkaliwagan and the head of delegation is team manager Dino Bernardo Lee.
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Credit belongs to : www.manilatimes.net
