The RP Blu Girls remained inside the Top Four of the 2023 Women Softball Asia Cup after contrasting results against Singapore and China on Tuesday at the LNG Stadium in Incheon, South Korea.
The Philippines finished the Singaporeans in five innings, 8-1, before succumbing to the Chinese, 6-2 for a 4-2 record, a game ahead of fifth-running South Korea AT 3-3.
Singapore was the first to strike as Bowie Tan Jean Wen doubled on a hit to right center that rolled to the wall before cleanup hitter Qin Ni Lexguas Ho scored the former on a grounder, 1-0.
Kikay Palma then took over from starting pitcher Celyn Ojare in the second inning, limiting Singapore to just one hit the rest of the way.
CJ Roa, Khrisia Cantor, Alaiza Talisik, Aliza Pichon, and Charlotte Sales all reached home plate at the bottom of the second to take the lead, 5-1.
Pichon, Sales, and Danica Aquino then added the insurance runs in the fourth stanza, 8-1.
Palma struck out the first two batters she faced at the top of the fifth before Zhenmin Naomi Leow’s fly ball went straight to the Blu Girls leftfielder Cantor to end the match.
In the afternoon match, Ann Antolihao was rocked by China’s bats in the second innings, allowing four runs for the early advantage, 4-0.
But the Philippines got one back in the fourth after Arianne Vallestero doubled to left field before being sent home by CJ Roa’s single, 4-1.
The Blu Girls added another run at the top of the sixth frame after Aquino scored on a throwing error to stay in striking distance, 4-2.
However, China answered at the bottom with two runs courtesy of He Xiaoyan and Dong Zixuan.
After three straight days of double-headers, the Philippines will only have one game tomorrow, facing 0-5 India before wrapping up the elimination round on Thursday against defending champions Japan.
With the last wildcard spot in the World Cup awarded to Asia, all semifinalists will now get a ticket to the biggest stage in July.
