By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Philippines demolished Hong Kong, 7-0, to jumpstart its bid in the U-18 World Softball Asia Cup held in Fujian, China on Tuesday, Aug. 29.
The Filipina softbelles – all from Bacolod City High School – hinted of good things to come with a two-run salvo in the first inning and followed it up with another five runs in the fifth inning to clinch their first victory in the tournament.
“It is a great way to start the tournament, but we are not going to get complacent as we have tough matches ahead of us,” said PH team coach Sheirylou Valenzuela.
“We give 100 percent in every game and treat every game as a championship game. Although our pitching is not good, we still managed to do well enough in other areas to win today (Tuesday),” she added.
Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) President Jean Henri Lhuillier lauded the team’s strong start.
“I hope this will serve as the momentum we need to make it to the finals,” he said.
Up next for the PH team is host China on Wednesday, Aug. 30.
The tournament stakes slots to the WBSC U-18 Women’s Softball World Cup Championship next year.
