Blu Girls set eyes on World Games

THE Philippines concluded its campaign in the World Baseball-Softball Confederation Asia-Oceania Olympic qualifier with another 5- 0 shutout loss at the hands of Chinese Taipei on Saturday at the Shanghai Chongming Sports Training Center.

The Blu Girls ended their fivegame campaign in fourth place at 2-3 win-loss card failing in their mission to earn a seat in next year’s Tokyo Olympic Games.

They stand to advance, though, to the 2021 World Games one of the four teams that may allow to represent Asia that includes Japan, Chinese Taipei and China.

Australia clinched the second ticket to Tokyo with a 9- 3 demolition of

also on Saturday.

Japan, being the Summer Spectacle’s

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- lowed by China in second, Chinese Taipei in third and the Philippines in fourth. But since the Yellow and Green clad clouters from Down Under are carrying the Oceania banner, the Blu Girls took one of the three World Games seat berths allocated to Asia.

“We have done well for a team who was assembled in a very short period before the tournaments since many of our players are based in the States,” said Philippine coach Venerando Dizer, referring to seven Filipino-Americans inserted to the Blu Girls’ lineup.

“We could’ve done better if we had just made used of our chances and minimized our errors,” added Dizer. “I am still proud of my players who have reached the Super Round.”

By scoring victories over the world ranked New Zealand and South Korea and making to the Super Round of Four, The Blu Girls, likewise, are cinch to improve on their 13th ranking to at least at the Top 10.

The Taiwanese jumped into the lead, 3-0, at the bottom of the third inning on a lead-off triple, followed by a pair of singles.

- ingly tired and disinterested Filipinas with a couple of markers more highlighting the sixth frame.