The Philippine women’s softball team ended its WBSC Women's Softball World Cup group stage campaign on a winning note, blanking the host team, 8-0, at the Villa María del Triunfo Softball Complex in Lima, Peru on Saturday.
The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls wasted no time asserting their superiority over Peru as they scored four runs in the second and fourth innings to secure the win.
The team’s explosive offensive performance featured home runs by Roma Jane Rivera Cruz and Charlotte Sales.
Pitcher Glory Alonzo also did her part on the mound as the match was abbreviated after five innings.
"Our Blu Girls showed exactly what Filipino athletes are made of—heart, resilience, and the determination to keep fighting until the very end," said Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president Jean Henri Lhuillier.
"To finish the tournament with such an outstanding performance against the host nation speaks volumes about this team's character. While there is always room to grow, I am incredibly proud of how our players represented the Philippines and competed with courage against some of the best teams in the world. This experience will only make them stronger as they continue their journey," added Lhuillier, who is also president and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.
The Blu Girls finished the group stage with a 2-3 record but will not advance to the next round. Its only other victory was against world No. 3 Puerto Rico.
The Philippine team, however, will leave Lima with valuable experience, renewed confidence and momentum as they continue building toward future international competitions.
World No. 1 Japan topped the group with an immaculate 5-0 card followed by Puerto Rico and Venezuela with identical 3-2 records.
Great Britain finished with a 2-3 mark just like the Philippines but the latter claimed fourth spot by virtue of the winner over the other rule.
At the bottom of the group is Peru, winless in five outings.
