THE PHILIPPINE softball team, backed by three UST players, finished at 16th out of 31 participants in the World Women’s Softball Championship in Surrey, Canada last July 15 to 24.
It was a feat in itself since the Blu Girls were in the so-called “Group of Death,” along with top-tier teams from Australia, China and eventual champion the United States of America. The team included Tiger Softbelles Mary Celestine Palma, Mary Luisse Garde and Ann Antolihao.
The Blu Girls barged into the championship round after squeaking past the Czech Republic and pulling off a convincing win against Pakistan in the first round.
But they had a forgettable stint with two wins and seven losses in the World Cup of Softball XI held in Oklahoma City, USA last July 5 to 10.
“Nandoon na ‘yung tapang, na kahit papaano nakaya kong ilaban doon sa ibang bansa,” Antolihao said.
“Pakiramdam ko nag-mature na ‘yung pag-iisip ko and pagkilos ko lalo na ‘pag nasa training na,” said Garde. “Since world’s best sila, magandang exposure ‘yun para sa amin, kasi hindi naman sila ‘yung team na basta basta lang.”
The trio is viewed as the team’s core this coming season and they are looking to carry the momentum from last year when they hammered out probably the biggest upset in collegiate softball history—snapping the 73-game winning streak of then five-time defending champions Adamson University.
