The Philippine Blu Girls will face Chinese Taipei in the battle for bronze in the 20th Asian Games softball tournament.
The Nationals secured their spot in the bronze medal match after defeating Hong Kong, 9-3, to finish fourth in the elimination round on Friday at Anjo Sports Park in Aichi, Japan.
The Blu Girls will meet Chinese Taipei for the bronze medal tomorrow at 8:00 AM (Manila time). Chinese Taipei defeated the Philippines, 10-1, in five innings in their elimination-round meeting last Sunday.
Deep shots from Angelu Gabriel, Roma Jane Cruz, and Reyae Villamin powered the Philippines’ offense against Hong Kong.
Gabriel opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, launching a home run over the left-field wall to give the Blu Girls an early 1-0 lead. The Philippines then erupted for five runs in the second inning, highlighted by Villamin’s two-run homer to left field to make it 5-0.
Hong Kong finally got on the board in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs on four hits and an error to cut the deficit to 7-3.
Cruz restored the Philippines’ momentum in the top of the fifth with a towering home run to deep left-center field, completing the scoring at 9-3.
Kikay Palma then shut the door on Hong Kong, allowing just one hit over the final three innings.
Palma, who was pulled before the third inning, returned to the mound in the fourth and finished the game with four hits allowed over six innings of work.
