The PH women's softball team definitely had one heck of a Softball World Cup campaign.
Sometimes all it takes is a mental reset to get a team going.
That’s exactly what the Philippines women's national softball team did to get their WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup campaign in Italy going.
Catcher Celyn Ojare told One Sports' The Game how gathering together as a team before their doubleheader game against Venezuela and New Zealand helped them focus on the task at hand.
“Actually, kasi kapag nagmi-meeting kami talagang buhos lahat eh,” said Ojare. “Emotions, pinag-uusapan namin 'yung mental, hindi lang kami puro skills na discussion.”
“Sobrang important talaga sa team is 'yung mental preparation throughout the game,” she added.
This would prove to be crucial for the RP Blu Girls as they pulled off a 5-3 victory against New Zealand, followed by the monumental 6-5 win against the mighty Italians, which then vaulted them to the next round.
“Top 8 sila sa world and sobrang sarap sa feeling na matalo namin 'yung mas mataas samin,” said Ojare.
Prior to their two huge upsets, the Filipinas bowed to Canada, Japan, and Venezuela in Group C. With their victories, the national team finished the group stage at fourth spot with a 2-3 win-loss card, enough for a ticket in the Group C playoffs.
However, the all-Filipinos squad would ultimately fall short against Italy in their rematch as they missed out the chance to play for a slot in next year's finals.
Nonetheless, the Blu Girls made a significant leap in the WBSC world rankings, moving up five places, from 26th to 21st.
And as it stands, the team’s chemistry and experience only continue to grow.
“Hindi naman po kami nahirapan para maging buo, maganda 'yung teamwork namin on and off the field kasi nagkakasundo naman kami lahat. Halos lahat naman approachable,” said fielder Danica Aquino.
(GM)