The Philippine Blu Girls opened their 20th Asian Games softball campaign with back-to-back losses to host Japan and fellow continental powerhouse Chinese Taipei at Anjo Sports Park in Aichi.
The Philippine women’s national softball team absorbed a 10-0 defeat in four innings against six-time defending champion Japan on Saturday before bowing to Chinese Taipei, 10-1, in five innings on Sunday.
However, all is not lost for the 0-2 Nationals, as the tournament features a single round-robin format among eight nations, giving the Philippines more opportunities to rally and reach the medal rounds.
After the single round-robin eliminations, the top two teams will battle for the gold medal, while the third- and fourth-ranked squads will face off for the bronze.
The Blu Girls are still seeking their first medal in the Asiad and will look to secure their first win of the tournament when they face South Korea on Monday at 10 a.m.
Hsuan Liu’s grand slam in the bottom of the third inning highlighted Chinese Taipei’s victory over the Philippines, as she drilled a shot to left field that also scored Chia-Yi Chen, Chia-Wen Shen, and Yi-Fan Ho.
Blu Girls first baseman Alyssa Daniell drove in the Philippines’ lone run in their first two games, hitting a single to left field to score Nicole Hammoude from second base in the top of the first inning against Chinese Taipei and give the Nationals a 1-0 lead.
The advantage, however, quickly dissipated as Chinese Taipei responded with 10 unanswered runs.
Against Japan, Philippine starting pitcher Kikay Palma enjoyed a steady start, allowing just one hit in the opening inning. The second inning, however, was a different story, as the reigning champions erupted for nine runs, highlighted by Yui Nakamizo’s three-run homer to dead center that extended Japan’s lead to 8-0.
Mayu Okawa’s double into the left-center gap brought Nakamizo home in the fourth inning, enforcing the mercy rule and ending the contest.
Meanwhile, the Philippine men’s baseball team finished fifth after topping the placement round despite contrasting results. The Philippines defeated Thailand, 18-7, before falling to Hong Kong, 7-5.
It marked the Philippines’ second consecutive fifth-place finish in baseball at the quadrennial sporting event.
