THE CANADA CUP IS BACK FROM HIATUS
Finally, the Canada Cup will be live again from June 16-27, 2022 in Softball City, Surrey BC. There will be the usual national teams like Team Canada, Team USA, Team Mexico and Team Australia plus the elite local and international softball clubs.
The RP Blu Girls is one of the Top 20 national teams and is competing. They won the first game against the Calahoo Erins and lost both games yesterday to the Netherlands and Canada. Canada had a blow out win at 8-1. The visiting lady sluggers appeared without much energy and perhaps still having a jetlag. They just arrived last Friday.
The bulk of the Blu Girls came from the Philippines while a few are Fil-Ams based in the USA. Some of the FilAms who donned the Blu Girls uniform are now doing well as professionals or even collegiate athletes. Reese Guevarra is a UCON varsity softball player while Chelsea Suitos have worked for Nike International. Cheska Altomonte also graduated from Ateneo De Manila and has also worked for Nike Philippines. She is currently the Secretary General of the Blu Girls and also play the Center position.
We asked Coach Ana Santiago what the Blu Girls were expecting in Canada Cup. Ana said, “we are not trying to qualify for the Olympics so the ladies just want to have international experience and sharpen their skills too.”
“ We lost to Netherlands and Canada, because firstly these are two powerhouse teams and a lot of our players are newbies and still developing chemistry with each other,” says Coach Randy Dizer.
Today, the Blu Girls somehow redeemed themselves in their winning ways by beating another powerhouse team(4th ranked in the world) Mexico, 4-3.
Mary Anne Antolihao was the intial pitcher and Celyn Ojare took over. Kelsey Alcantara was the closer. In the Fourth Inning, Philippines No 26 scores a Run after a 3 base hit, Philippines 4, Mexico 2. Mexico woul still score a Run to make the Final Score Blu Girls, 4 and Mexico, 3.Arianne Vallestero was a standout Designated Hitter.
Mary Joy Maguad, Arianne Vallestero, Angelu Gabriel and CJ Roa had outstanding game today versus the Mexico National Team.
They play Australia Developmental on Thursday and at 2 wins and 2 losses, a medal round may not be reachable for now.
The Blu Girls:
Francesca Altomonte, C; Mary Ann Antolihao, P; Arianne Vallestero, Designated Hitter; Skylynne Ellazar, 3B/2B; Logan Caymol, P; Sierra Lange, P ; Royevel Palma, P; Celyn Ojare, P ; Mary Joy Maguad, 2B ; Angelu Gabriel, OF ; Cristy Joy Roa, OF ; Maria Charlotte Sales, 3B ; Elsie Dela Torre, 1B ; Katrina Ditchon, P ; Cleofe Magsayo, OF ; Alaiza Talizik, OF ; Kobie Hura, OF ; Alyssa Daniell, U ; Taylor Keinath, U ; Katherine Montuya, U ; Alesia Ranches, SS ; Nicole Hammoude, 3B/SS ; Kelsey Alcantara, P ; Na’wai Kaupe, U.
Coaches: Hailey Decker- Head Coach, Amber Freeman- Assistant Coach, Ana Santiago- Assistant Coach, Venerando Dizer-Team Manager, Ronelon Pagkaliwagan – Pitching Coach, Anthony Santos – Assistant Coach
BY Tom Choy
Vancouver, British Columbia