(NI JJ TORRES)

HAHARAPIN ng Philippine Blu Girls ang Korea sa unang laro sa WBSC Asia/Oceania Qualifiier sa Shanghai, China, sa muling pagtatatangka na makasungkit ng spot sa 2020 Tokto Olympics.

Bukod sa Korea, makakasagupa rin ng mga Pinay ang powerhouse teams na Chinese-Taipei, Australia, China at New Zealand, gayundin ang Indonesia at Hong Kong.

“Everybody in this team, whether player or coach, has an input before the game. That’s something that’s very relevant in this year’s tournament. I believe that each and every player and coach has something valuable to contribute into this campaign,” lahad ni John Henri Lhuillier, pangulo ng Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL).

“I am confident that the RP Blu Girls will do well. I think this year’s preparations have been the best so far and we have the best team for this tournament,”dagdag pa niya.

Gumawa ng ingay ang Blu Girls, world no. 13, sa World Cup at Canada Cup noong 2017, nang talunin ang Canada at Mexico ng dalawang beses, bukod sa paggapi sa Australia at Chinese-Taipei, na kasama sa world’s top 6 softball teams.

Ito rin ang unang pagkakataon na ang softball at lalaruin sa Olympics, matapos mawala sa kalendaryo ng 2012 at 2016 Summer Olympics.

Ang winner sa qualifier tournament ay sasamahan ang lima pang bansa gaya ng host Japan, 2018 WBSC World Champion USA, wbsc Softball Uerope/Africa Olympic qualifier winner Italy at WBSC Softball America’s Olympic Qualifier winner Mexico at runner-up Canada, na sasabak sa Tokyo 2020.