The RP Blu Girls arrived in South Korea on Saturday and set off their campaign in the Asia Cup Tournament against Hong Kong and host South Korea on Sunday in Incheon.
The Philippine National women’s softball squad is expected to stream roll in their opener against Hong Kong but expect rough sailing against South Korea in the afternoon of Day 1.
“The girls are in high spirits and I am confident they will perform well in this competition. They’ve been preparing non-stop in the past months and we in the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) have ensured that they get the best possible preparations for this Asia Cup,” said ASAPHIL President Jean Henri Lhuillier.
“We are ready! It’s time to show the world what we have been practicing for and I’m confident the girls will deliver. The goal is a podium finish and get one for the World Cup slots,” said RP Blu Girls Coach Randy Dizer.
Nine participating teams namely World number 2 Japan, number 3 Chinese Taipei, Number 13 China, Number 30 Philippines, Number 35 Korea, number 38 Hong Kong, Number 42 Singapore, Number 46 Thailand, and Number 53 India are competing for the continental title and three available tickets to the XVII WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup which will take place in July in Europe.
RP Blu Girls is expected to perform higher than their current world ranking, being ranked as high as number 11 in the world prior to the pandemic. They take on Thailand and Chinese Taipei on Day 2, Singapore and China on Day 3, and India on Day 4 before rounding up the eliminations against powerhouse Japan on Day 5. If they advance to the semi-finals, they play on April 7 and hope for the gold medal match on April 8.