The Philippine women’s softball team bowed to defending champion and top seed Japan, 0-4, for its second loss in the group stage of the WBSC Women's Softball World Cup in Lima, Peru on Thursday (Manila time).
Despite the loss, the Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls remained determined to bounce back as they prepare for a crucial matchup against world No. 3 Puerto Rico on Friday.
The Filipinos were clearly outmatched by the Japanese, who scored all four runs in the first two innings against starting pitcher April Mae Bartolo Minanga, forcing the Blu Girls to play the catch-up role the rest of the way.
Sakura Miwa and Mio Sakamoto combined for a one-hit shutout with Miwa allowing just one hit over the first three innings before Sakamoto retired all 12 batters she faced to seal Japan's second victory of the tournament.
"We always knew our path in this tournament would be challenging, especially against a team of Japan's caliber," said Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (Asa-Phil) president Jean Henri Lhuillier.
"What encourages me is the heart and composure our Blu Girls continue to show, particularly the way they settled down defensively after the early innings. This team has never backed down in the face of adversity, and I believe they will use these experiences to come back stronger. Our focus now shifts to Puerto Rico, and I know our players will be ready to compete with everything they have," added Lhuillier, who is also the president and CEO of Cebuna Lhuillier.
The Philippines opened its campaign with a 5-8 beating against Venezuela on Wednesday.
The Philippines will next face Puerto Rico and Great Britain on Friday and will close its group stage assignments against host Peru on Saturday.
The top four teams in each group will advance to the playoffs and the top two teams from each group will advance to the 2027 World Cup Finals in Redcliffe, Australia.
The teams that will make the final round will also earn an automatic spot in the women's softball tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
