By Marlon Bernardino
MANILA---SISIMULAN ng Philippine National Women’s Softball Team’s (RP Blu Girls) ang kanilang kampanya ngayon Linggo, Abril 2 sa ganap na alas otso ng umaga na makikipag paluan sa Hongkong bilang match number 2 of the day one competition sa tinampukang Asia Cup na gaganapin sa Incheon, Korea.
Dumating ang Cebuana Lhuillier-sponsored RP Blu Girls ng maaga sa Korea para makapag acclimatized at inaasahang mapapasabak ng husto sa opener kontra sa Hong Kong. Makakalaban naman nila ang strong national team ng host country, South Korea in bilang afternoon match of Day 1.
“The girls are in high spirits and I am confident they will perform well in this competition. They’ve been preparing non-stop in the past months and we in the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) have ensured that they get the best possible preparations for this Asia Cup,” sabi ni ASAPHIL President Jean Henri Lhuillier.
“We are ready! It’s time to show the world what we have been practicing for and I’m confident the girls will deliver. The goal is a podium finish and get one for the World Cup slots,” sambit ni RP Blu Girls Coach Randy Dizer.
Siyam na participating teams kasama ang World number 2 Japan, number 3 Chinese Taipei, Number 13 China, Number 30 Philippines, Number 35 Korea, number 38 Hong Kong, Number 42 Singapore, Number 46 Thailand, at Number 53 India ang magtutuos sa continental title at three available tickets para sa XVII WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup na papalo sa Hulyo sa Europe.
Ang RP Blu Girls ay inaasahang mag pe perform ng maganda base sa kanilang current world ranking, bilang number 11 sa buong mundo bago ang pandemic. Makakalaban nila ang Thailand at Chinese Taipei sa Day 2, Singapore at China sa Day 3, at India sa Day 4 bago ang rounding up ng eliminations kontra sa powerhouse Japan sa Day 5. Kung makakapasok sila semi-finals ay makakalaro sa Abril 7 at kung papalaring sa gold medal match sa Abril 8.-Marlon Bernardino-