The Philippine Blu Girls outplayed Korea, 5-1, on Saturday to reach the semifinal round of the 2019 Asia Cup Women’s Softball Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Filipina softballers registered nine hits in the game, including two homeruns from Angelie Ursabia and Hailey Decker.
Mary Ann Antolinhao also pitched for seven innings for the Blu Girls and surrendered only four hits against the Koreans, who are ranked 23rd in the world.
Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) president Jean Henri Lhuillier was elated of the Blu Girls’ quarterfinals victory and is encouraging the team to give their best against their formidable semifinals opponent.
The PH Blu Girls, ranked 13th in the world, will next face defending champion and ranked No. 2 Japan in a rematch of last year’s finals.
“I am very proud of the performance of our girls in the Asia Cup,” said Lhuillier. “They have been playing well in this tournament and I am sure they will give their best in the semis.”
The victory against Korea on Saturday also assured the Philippines of a slot in the WBSC Softball Asia/Oceania 2019 Qualifying Event for 2020 Tokyo Olympics to be played in Shanghai, China on September 24-29.