PH Blu Mixed takes silver in Co-Ed Slow Pitch Softball Asia Cup 2023

PATTAYA, Thailand – The Philippines suffered an 8-2 defeat at the hands of Chinese Taipei, settling for silver in the inaugural Co-Ed Slow-Pitch Softball Asia Cup held at Siam Polo Club on Saturday, May 27.

The Taiwanese squad proved too strong for the Southeast Asian nation, as the Philippines couldn't avenge their 12-8 loss to the same opponent in the preliminary round.

On a positive note, the Filipino squad secured qualification for the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Co-Ed Slow-Pitch World Cup, scheduled for later this year, by finishing in second place.

The Philippine national slow pitch softball team consisted of male players Dino Altomonte, Isidro Abello, Jerome Bacarisas, Benjamin Cope, Denis Nelson, Tomas Pablo Panlilio, and Julius Visaya, along with female players Cheska Altomonte, Khrisha Cantor, Elsie Dela Torre, Angelu Gabriel, Madeleine Lhuillier, MJ Maguad, CJ Roa, Jenette Rusia, and Charlotte Sales.

RP Blu Mixed head coach Ana Maria Santiago expressed satisfaction with her team's performance in an interview but acknowledged that they still have a long way to go.

"They gave their best, and we have qualified for the World Cup. But we have a lot of work to do, and I will probably bring in two or three players based overseas to strengthen the team," Santiago stated.

The Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) congratulated the RP Blu Mixed team on their Facebook page.

"Though we may have fallen short, we proudly clinched the silver medal and secured a spot in the WBSC Co-Ed Slow-Pitch Softball World Cup, displaying incredible teamwork and determination throughout," ASAPHIL posted.

ASAPHIL President Jean Henri Lhuillier added, "Your hard work, determination, and teamwork have truly paid off, and you have made our nation proud."

Supported by Cebuana Lhuillier, the Philippines achieved an upset victory over China, 8-7, in their opening match before demolishing Singapore, 15-6.

Chinese Taipei handed them their only defeat in the preliminary round, 12-8.

They earned a rematch against the Taiwanese in the gold medal clash after a dominant 31-11 victory over host Thailand.

China secured a spot in the World Cup by defeating Thailand, 16-0, in the battle for bronze, joining Chinese Taipei and the Philippines.