Blu Girls fail in Olympic seat bid
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 28 Sep 2019
It was only good while it lasted.
The Philippines came two games away from earning its place in next year?s Tokyo Olympic Games but lost to Australia, 7-0 on Friday as the Blu Girls bade goodbye to their aspiration in the Super Round of the Asia-Oceania qualifier in Shanghai.
Had the gritty Filipinas won, and prevail, too, over Chinese Taipei in their last assignment Saturday, coach Randy Dizer?s Girls could?ve earned their tickets to Tokyo and represent, along with Japan, Asia-Oceania in the XXXIII Games in that Japanese capital.
The Japanese earned the No. 1 seed as hosts of the Summer Spectacle.
But as things had it, ending up at the highest, third and the lowest fourth, is what, perhaps the farthest they were destined to get.
The Blu Girls fought tough and hard and were holding their own against the No. 7 world ranked counterparts from Down Under in the first three innings when the fastball pitching Ann Antolihao practically had the opposition at the palm of her hands allowing just one runner on on a single who he left stranded anyway.
The roof finally cave in at the bottom of the fourth frame where the product of the University of Santo Tomas surrendered three hits, a lead-off double followed by a pair of base hits as the Aussies broke the ice with two runs.
Reports coming from the World Baseball-Softball Confederation didn?t mention what the Philippine coaching staff did to quell the uprising.
Obviously, Antolihao remained holding the fort.
She hit a batter by a pitched ball, who reached home on another single, followed by a pair more and Australia soared high, 5-0.
The gold and green dressed Aussies added two more runs assisted by a maze of errors in the sixth and went back to the Athletes? Village having a chance of bringing home the bacon and instead of the Filipinas, join the Japanese in Tokyo.
For the Philippines, well, it can console itself of improving its world ranking from the present 13th to probably the top 1O.
If they salvage the bronze medal, chances are they?ll be rewarded, too, of a trip to Birmingham two years from now and carry the country?s colors in the World Games.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Rodrigo to challenge undefeated Sandoval in US
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Aug 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Call to Action 12 Items for Boxers' Safety
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 22 Aug 2025Libranza vs Pangga headlines Elorde card on Aug 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Aug 2025GM Antonio to compete in P100,000 top prize Rapid chessfest this Sunday in Roxas City, Capiz Province
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 22 Aug 2025AISAT Basic Ed football training starts
By Kim delos Reyes-Teves, Fri, 22 Aug 2025Josh Navarro Scores Another Win in Pomona, California
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 22 Aug 2025UNDEFEATED CRIZTIAN PITT LAURENTE SET TO FACE HEBI MARAPU FOR IBF PAN PACIFIC TITLE
Fri, 22 Aug 2025Dare To Enter: Undefeated WBC Interim Champion Vergil Ortiz to Defend Super Welterweight Title From Number 1 Contender Erickson “The Hammer” Lubin
Fri, 22 Aug 2025Euri Cedeno Takes on Willie Jones on Friday, September 5th at Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem, PA
Fri, 22 Aug 2025COE AND HART CLASH ON BOOTS ENNIS CARD IN PHILADELPHIA
Thu, 21 Aug 2025‘There's nothing that he brings to the table that I've not got an answer for’ Sam Rennie on upcoming fight at Thunderdome 51
Thu, 21 Aug 2025JAMAINE "THE TECHNICIAN" ORTIZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 21 Aug 2025Gervonta Davis vs. Jake Paul: Exhibition Bout Announced for November
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 21 Aug 2025Legendary boxing coach John Brown Compares cornering Tommy Morrison & Rising young star Marco Romero
Thu, 21 Aug 2025World Kid to Host Meet-and-Greet and Open Workouts In advance of “The Return” on August 31 in Detroit
Thu, 21 Aug 2025