The Philippine Blu Girls recorded mixed results on Day 4 of the opening round of the 2025 Women’s Softball Asia Cup, keeping their medal hopes alive on Thursday at the Xi’an Physical Education University Softball Stadium in China.
The Blu Girls will head into Friday’s critical elimination games with a 5-2 win-loss record, just a game behind Chinese Taipei and currently sitting in fourth place.
They are set to face Chinese Taipei at 1:00 PM in what could potentially serve as a preview of the bronze medal match later this week.
Earlier in the day, the Philippines overwhelmed regional rival Singapore with a commanding 13-0 win in just three innings — marking their third consecutive victory and fifth overall.
The Blu Girls exploded for 12 runs in the first two innings to take full control of the game.
Roma Jane Cruz continued her offensive tear, going a perfect 2-for-2 at bat, while Alaiza Talisik drove in three runs on two hits.
MJ Maguad also contributed with a triple and an RBI in the lopsided win.
However, the momentum didn’t carry over into the second game.
The Blu Girls were just a half-inning and a solid defensive stand away from upsetting host nation China, but instead suffered a heartbreaking 1-2 defeat to close the day’s action.
The game remained scoreless through six tense innings before Cruz ignited the offense once again with a triple to right field to open the seventh.
Talisik followed with a double to left, allowing Cruz to score the go-ahead run.
But despite the surge, China tightened up defensively, stranding Sydney Vitangcol — who pinch-ran for Talisik — on second base.
In the bottom of the seventh, Li Xintian reached first base after a muffed catch by second baseman Sky Ellazar — an error that proved costly.
Yan Siyu capitalized by bringing Li home for the tying run.
Moments later, Xi Kailin connected on Royevel Palma’s pitch and sent it straight to Ellazar, who was unable to stop Zeng Zhilin from crossing the plate for the walk-off run.
Despite the tough loss, the Blu Girls remain firmly in the hunt for a podium finish.
