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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Blu Girls bow to world No. 1 Japan in WBSC World Cup Group Stage

Blu Girls bow to world No. 1 Japan in WBSC World Cup Group Stage

Published Jul 16, 2026 01:17 pm

At A Glance

  • Pitchers Saku Miwa and Mio Sakamoto took turns in stifling the Filipina batters, allowing them just one hit as Japan cruised to a shutout win.
Screengrab from WBSC
Screengrab from WBSC
The Philippine Blu Girls put up a spirited fight but bowed to defending champion and world No. 1 Japan, 4-0, in the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage in Lima, Peru on Thursday, July 16 (Philippine time).
Pitchers Saku Miwa and Mio Sakamoto took turns in stifling the Filipina batters, allowing them just one hit as Japan cruised to a shutout win.
The Japanese bombarded Blu Girls' starting pitcher April Mae Minanga with five hits that resulted in four runs, including a two-run double to right-center field from Saori Yamauchi in the bottom of the first inning.
The other two runs came in the second as Hotaru Tsukamoto scored on Ayana Nakagawa’s double to left center, and Kyoko Ishikawa drove in another run with a single to center.
Mary Joy Alpitche relieved Minanga in the second and did admirably by allowing the Japanese just three hits in more than five innings at the pitch.
But by then, the damage had been done.
It was the Blu Girls’ second straight loss after a 8-4 defeat to world No. 16 Venezuela the other day.
If there was a silver lining for the Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls, it was that they handed Japan its toughest test of the tournament so far. The Japanese had earlier dismantled Great Britain, 9-1, in their opener before completing another dominant 9-0 rout of host Peru just hours after their victory over the Nationals.
Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) President Jean Henri Lhuillier remained optimistic of the team despite the latest defeat.
“We always knew our path in this tournament would be challenging, especially against a team of Japan's caliber,” he said.
“What encourages me is the heart and composure our Blu Girls continue to show, particularly the way they settled down defensively after the early innings. This team has never backed down in the face of adversity, and I believe they will use these experiences to come back stronger. Our focus now shifts to Puerto Rico, and I know our players will be ready to compete with everything they have,” he added.

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