The RP Blu Girls swept the elimination round with victories in Wednesday’s double-header, marching into the gold medal match of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games softball tournament at Queen Sirikit Stadium.
The 10-time defending champions once again showed their pedigree, scoring mercy-rule wins over Malaysia in the morning, 11–0 in four innings, and host Thailand in the afternoon, 15–0 in three innings.
The Philippines will enter the gold medal match unscathed at 4–0. The Blu Girls have allowed just one run in four games, which came during their 2–1 eighth-inning walk-off win over Singapore.
They will face the winner of Singapore and Thailand in the gold medal match scheduled on Friday at 3 p.m.
Starting pitcher April Minanga starred against Malaysia with a four-inning no-hitter, striking out four batters. On offense, first baseman Alyssa Daniell drove in three runs, while right fielder Roma Cruz and third baseman Charlotte Sales chipped in two RBIs each.
Against the host nation, designated hitter Reyae Villamin erupted for three hits and four RBIs, while Cruz and shortstop Nicole Hammoude added two RBIs apiece.
In men’s action, the RP Blu Boys absorbed their first loss of the tournament, bowing to defending champion Singapore, 7–3.
The Philippines struck first in the top of the fourth inning as Kenneth Torres blasted a two-run home run to deep left field, also bringing in Justine Rosales, for a 2–0 lead. Israel Antonio later extended the advantage to 3–0 on a wild pitch.
Singapore answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth before seizing control in the fifth. The hosts erupted for a six-run, two-out rally, highlighted by two-run homers from Kian Foo and Huzaifie Bin Mohammad Noorham, to take a 7–3 lead.
Jeron Tan then shut the door on the Blu Boys in the sixth and seventh innings to seal the win.
The Philippines and Singapore will meet again in the men’s gold medal match on Friday at 3 p.m.
