Philippine softball is going strong with four squads in World Cups.
The Philippine women's national softball team ended their WBSC Women's Softball World Cup campaign in fourth place of Group C, following an extended rematch against Italy, 6-5.
With world number eight Italy leading 5-3 in the top of the fourth, the game had to be suspended and the electric signage was taken down due to a thunderstorm.
Almost three hours later, the game restarts and Francesca Altomonte hits the ball for the Blu Girls to score the two runners on base—Gabriel Angelu and Reyae Villamin. The game was tied at 5-5.
But Italy surged ahead at the fifth inning, 6-5. Their defense also helped keep the Philippines at bay in the sixth. Pitcher Alice Nicolini helped seal the victory for the host nation in the seventh, pushing Italy through to the repechage against Canada.
The Philippines' performance in the group stage was a definitive comeback after not appearing in the 2022 edition.
The world number 26 Blu Girls first had to absorb defeats to number 5 Canada, 5-0; world number 2 Japan, 13-0; and world number 22 Venezuela, 5-1; before picking up their first victory against world number 29 New Zealand, 5-3.
It was an especially poignant moment, as the victory happened on the same day that the Filipinas defeated the Kiwis for their first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup win.
The Blu Girls then rode the momentum for a 6-5 victory against Italy, qualifying for the playoff where they lost to the host nation.
Still, the Blu Girls are proud of what they've accomplished.
There's still more to come from Philippine softball. Three more squads are heading to their own World Cups.
The co-ed slowpitch softball squad won silver at the Asia Cup and will head to the World Cup in Mexico later this year.
The U15 women's squad finished with a bronze in Asia and will head to Japan in October for the World Cup.
Even the men's national softball team, the Blu Boys, earned their qualification for the World Cup, which will be held in 2025.
(CF)