Blu Girls start Taiwan campaign
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 23 Sep 2011
The Philippines blew hot and cold in splitting its opening two games in the on-going 10th Asian Women?s Softball Championship in Nantou, Taiwan.
The Blu Girls, who had nary a wink following a five hour trip from Manila, including a two and-a-half hour drive from Taipei to competition site Tuesday, nevertheless showed class in blasting Hong Kong, 14-0, in abbreviated four-inning shutout the following day at the Ciaoguang softball field.
The brilliance the Blu Girls displayed against the Hongkong batters was still there, but the breaks weren?t against the North Koreans, who peppered starting and losing pitcher Veronica Belleza with four of their total eight hits at the top of the second inning on the way to a 3-0 victory.
Belleza though emerged as one of the Philippines? heroines in the Blu Girls blasting of the Hongkongites as she and reliever Julie Mari Muyco, younger sister of former no. 1 hurler Cloiene combined for a no-hit-no-run show.
All of coach Ana Santiago?s nine starters took the plate right in the opening frame that was highlighted by a two-base hit each of catcher Lovelyn Maganda and rightfielder Jocel Aguilar, who both took a leave from their respective commitments to beef up anew the national team. The Blu Girls scored four runs in that pivotal period with Aguilar driving home shortstop Esmeralda Tayag, who had earlier taken fist base on an error, and Maganda herself, who last year, along with several nationals sought greener pasture overseas after the entire PHI team was stricken off the Philippine Sports Commission payroll. Maganda, who now works and play in Brunei set up Aguilar?s two-run double by pushing Tayag to third on a similar extra base hit.
The Blu Girls, once ranked third in the world, whose participation here was funded by the PSC and supported by Cebuana Lhuillier, Pera Padala, Le Soleil de Boracay and Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions, completed the rout with a vicious seven-hit, nine-run annihilation at the bottom of the second. Another marker in the next session on a pair of connections stopped the Hongkong batters' agony on the strength of the mercy rule.
Second basegirl Cherrylou Valenzuela singled Maganda across the plate and herself scored on another base-hit by leftfielder Marylin Francisco capping the Philippines four-run binge.
Aguilar went two-for-two at bat, batting in four runs, the most in the two-day old tournament that will decide Asia?s representation in next year?s World Championship, while Maganda was not to be outdone, connecting twice in three times on, sending a teammate home. Valenzuela also had a fine day in the batting department matching Maganda?s two-for-three feat as he drove in two runs.
The Blu Girls had hits, too, against the North Koreans, but they just couldn?t find the connections that could?ve sent their runners home. With two down and ll the bases occupied in the lower half of the sixth, firstbasegirl Dione Macasu ripped a sharp line drive that could alter the atmosphere of the game, but the ball landed into the Korean shortstop?s raised hand as sigh of relief emerged from the Korean dugout.
Back-to-back singles by Valenzuela and Francisco raised hope anew opening the last and seventh canto but third basegirl Alexanda Zuluaga was out on a liner and Valenzuela was put out, too, in a double play. The Blu Girls were still playing South Korea at press time. ?Breaks of the game. Nandun naman ang palo at ang daming base runners, pero hindi nakapagpapasok,? Santiago rued after the game. ?We have to win at least three of our last four games to at least make it to the next round.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
ALOYSIUS YAPP CLAIMS LONG-AWAITED US OPEN CROWN
Sun, 24 Aug 2025Don King Productions Moving Forward With October 4th WBA World Heavyweight Showdown
Sun, 24 Aug 2025Controversial Judges from Pacquiao-Barrios Fight Tapped for Canelo-Crawford Showdown
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 23 Aug 2025Levinson’s Gift: Runyon’s quiet revelation, Lawton’s last battle, and the first Filipino boxer
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Aug 2025Rodrigo 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 2025