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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Blu Girls rout Peru, but lost World Cup Group Stage playoff to tiebreak

Blu Girls rout Peru, but lost World Cup Group Stage playoff to tiebreak

Published Jul 18, 2026 01:31 pm

At A Glance

  • Charlotte Sales and Roma Dela Cruz homered in the second and fourth innings, respectively, to banner the Blu Girls' 10-hit offense and finish with a 2-3 win-loss record.
The Philippine Blu Girls end the opening round with a win over host Peru. (WBSC)
The Philippine Blu Girls end the opening round with a win over host Peru. (WBSC)
The Philippine Blu Girls demolished host Peru with an 8-0 five-inning victory but failed to secure the remaining playoff berth in the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup Group Stage in Lima, Peru on Saturday, July 18 (Philippine time).
Charlotte Sales and Roma Dela Cruz homered in the second and fourth innings, respectively, to banner the Blu Girls’ 10-hit offense and finish with a 2-3 win-loss record.
The win briefly kept their playoff hopes alive, but they ultimately missed out after tiebreak criteria dropped them to fifth following a tie with Great Britain -- a team that beat them 5-0 the other day -- for fourth place.
The top two teams in the tournament will advance to the World Cup Finals set in Queensland, Australia next year.
"Our Blu Girls showed exactly what Filipino athletes are made of—heart, resilience, and the determination to keep fighting until the very end," said Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) President Jean Henri Lhuillier.
"To finish the tournament with such an outstanding performance against the host nation speaks volumes about this team's character. While there is always room to grow, I am incredibly proud of how our players represented the Philippines and competed with courage against some of the best teams in the world. This experience will only make them stronger as they continue their journey," the Cebuana Lhuillier CEO added.
Glory Alonzo pitched a five-inning complete game to silence Peru’s offense, scattering four hits and issuing four walks while striking out two.
Nicole Hammoude and Skylynne Ellazar each went 2-for-4 at the plate, while Angelu Gabriel, Cruz and Sales drove in two runs apiece.
The Blu Girls and Peru are battling again for fifth place at press time, with the Nationals hoping to close out the tournament on a high note.
The tournament saw the Blu Girls also stunning world No. 3 Puerto Rico , 5-4, the other day, while bowing to Venezuela (5-8), Japan (0-4) and Great Britain.
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