CANDON, Ilocos Sur — Charlotte Sales and Roma Jane Cruz each blasted a home run as the Philippine Blu Girls overwhelmed host Peru, 8-0, in five innings on Saturday to set up a rematch for fifth place in the 2026 Women’s Softball World Cup group phase.
The Philippines wrapped up pool play at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Complex in Lima with a 2-3 record. The Blu Girls finished tied with Great Britain for fourth place, but the British claimed the tiebreaker and advanced to the playoffs after their 5-0 shutout victory over the Filipinas on Friday.
The Blu Girls will face the winless Peruvians again later Saturday at 11 p.m. (Manila time) to determine the fifth-place finisher.
Sales gave the Philippines an early 2-0 lead in the second inning, launching a two-run homer to deep left field that also scored Reyae Villamin.
The Blu Girls doubled their advantage to 4-0 later in the inning as three consecutive doubles from the heart of the lineup brought home Nicole Hammoude and Sydney Vitangcol.
The Philippines put the game out of reach with another four-run outburst in the fourth inning, highlighted by Cruz’s two-run homer to deep left that stretched the lead to 8-0.
Glory Alonzo tossed five scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while issuing four walks to secure the victory. Angelu Gabriel also drove in two runs for the Blu Girls.
Peru starter Maria Pizarro took the loss after surrendering four earned runs on six hits in just 1 2/3 innings of work.
