The Philippine Blu Girls fell to Chinese Taipei on Friday at the Xi’an Physical Education University Softball Stadium in China, on the penultimate day of the opening round of the 2025 Women’s Softball Asia Cup.
The loss dropped the Blu Girls to fourth place with a 5-3 win-loss record, still ahead of South Korea (4-4) and in contention for a bronze medal finish.
The Philippines will wrap up the elimination round against Hong Kong on Saturday at 11:00 AM, while also keeping a close eye on the simultaneous China-Chinese Taipei matchup on the other field.
The loser of that game will face the Philippines in the third-place match.
Starting pitcher April Minanga issued a walk to Li Szu-Shih, which Chinese Taipei capitalized on in the second inning after a scoreless opening frame for both sides.
With a runner on first and two outs, Su Yi-Hsuan made contact on a Minanga pitch and sent the ball deep to right-center, allowing Li to score the game’s opening run.
The Blu Girls had their best scoring opportunity in the fifth inning. Nicole Hammoude and Angelu Gabriel reached base, setting up a prime chance to tie the game or even take the lead.
However, Jhaycel Roldan — who pinch-ran for Hammoude — was tagged out at third for the second out. Gabriel was then unable to advance to second base on a long fly ball from Alaiza Talisik.
Chinese Taipei added to their lead in the sixth inning, stringing together three hits that brought in two more runs. The Blu Girls failed to respond in the seventh and final inning.
Hammoude was the lone standout at the plate for the Philippines, recording two hits.
The Chinese Taipei defense, anchored by Ke Hsia-Ai, kept the rest of the Filipino batters quiet. Power hitter Arianne Cruz, who had been an offensive force throughout the tournament, was shut down in this crucial contest.
The Blu Girls will aim to bounce back against Hong Kong as they try to build momentum heading into the medal rounds.
