Blu Girls plunge into Olympic qualifying Asia Cup action
Credit to Author: EDDIE G. ALINEA| Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2019 16:16:25 +0000
The Philippine Blu Girls, representing one team sport that has the biggest chance of carrying the country’s colors in the Olympics, open campaign toward attaining that goal when they play a doubleheader on today raising the curtains of the Asia Cup women’s softball tournament at the Senayan Stadium in Jakarta.
The PH Blu Girls, reinforced by six Filipino-American players, take on on the Singaporean national team at 1:30 a.m. in a Group B encounter in Field 2 of the arena, venue of the 2018 Asian Games softball competition.
They are heavily favored to hurdle their initial assignment in the hope of making it to the top six and advance to the Asia-Pacific Olympic qualifier in September in Shanghai.
The Philippines, once ranked third in the world, then battles Hong Kong at 6 p.m. to complete its two-game schedule for the day.
The arrival of their Fil-American reinforcements, one of whom is reportedly a former member of the US national team, enabled the girls to get familiar with each other again in few practice sessions the past week. The last time they played together was during the 2017 Asian championship when they ended up runner up to eventual champion Japan.
The Blu Girls meet Indonesia next on Thursday before winding up their elimination round campaign against Chinese-Taipei on Friday.
Ending up in the Top 6 in this tourney won’t be that hard as only four world-ranked teams — Japan, China and Korea, all playing in Group A, and Taiwan are entered.
The Philippines, hence, must only beat Singapore, Indonesia and Hong Kong, which it can handily, in Group B and one of whichever will advance to the playoff of Group A to assure a seat in the Asia-Oceania Olympic qualifying proper.
Team lineup is made up of UAAP MVP Arianne Vallestero, Best Pitcher Lyca Basa, Angelie Ursabia, Ezra Jalandoni and Riezel Calumbres, all of UAAP champion Adamson Lady Falcons; Cheska Almonte of Ateneo (team captain); Mary Ann Antolihao and Cristy Joy Roa of University of Santo Tomas; Reyovel Palma of Tanauan, Batangas; and Shaira Damasing of National University.
Beefing up the Blu Girls are Fil-Ams Garie Blando, Chelsea Suitos, Sky Ellazar, Hailey Decker, Aber Freeman and Gabriella Elvina. Blando, Suitos, Ellazar and Decker ere the team’s reinforcements in its Asian championship runner up finish two years ago in Taichung, Taiwan. Freeman, reportedly a former USA national team member, and Elvina are new recruits.
Multi-titled coach Ana Santiago of Adamson, Anthony Santos and Ronilo Pagkaliwagan will assist head coach Randy Dizer in calling the shots on the bench.
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