The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Philippine Blu Girls are set to take on Asia’s top softball nations as they represent the country in the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Carrying the momentum of a strong international run, highlighted by their impressive World Cup campaign where they defeated top-seeded teams, the national women’s softball team will look to build on that performance and make history by securing the Philippines’ first Asian Games medal in the sport.
Leading the 17-player roster and team captain Ma. Charlotte Sales and pitcher Royevel Palma.
Joining them are Francesca Altomonte, Mary Jane Libaton, Roma Jane Cruz, Maria Angelu Gabriel, Mea Tubongbanua, Reyae Mae Villamin, Glory Alonzo, Mary Joy Alpitches, Maria Victoria Magbanua, April Mae Minanga, Skylynne Ellazar, Alyssa Marie Daniel, Nicole Adra Hammoude, Sydney Vitangcol and Mylia Perez.
“The Blu Girls have consistently shown that they have the talent, discipline, and heart to compete with the best in the world. We have seen how much this team has grown through every international competition, and I am confident that they will carry that same fighting spirit to Aichi-Nagoya. We are behind them all the way as they pursue a historic medal for the Philippines,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, president of the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASA-PHIL) and president and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.
As part of their final buildup for the Asian Games, the Blu Girls are currently in Japan for an intensive training stint that began in late August and will run through September, allowing the team to sharpen its preparation in the country where the Games will be held.
The training forms part of the team’s broader international preparation, supported by the ASA-PHIL and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), to ensure the players are ready for the demands of major international competition.
The Blu Girls open their campaign against host Japan on Sept. 26, followed by Chinese Taipei on Sept. 27, South Korea on Sept. 28, Thailand on Sept. 29, and Singapore on Sept. 30.
They close out the preliminary round against China on Oct. 1 and Hong Kong on Oct. 2, completing a seven-game stretch against Asia’s strongest softball programs.
