Blu Girls smash India, secure Asian Games berth

The Philippine Blu Girls clinched a spot in next year’s 20th Asian Games after dominating India, 15-0, in the WBSC Women’s Softball Asia Cup on Wednesday, July 16, in Xi’an, China.Pitcher Callie Grace Christian delivered a stellar performance, limiting India to just two hits, while outfielder Roma Jane Cruz sparked a nine-run explosion in the third inning with a powerful home run to left field that triggered the offensive surge en route to sealing the emphatic win via the mercy rule.The top eight teams in the tournament earn automatic berths to the Asian Games set in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan in September 2026.The win marked the Blu Girls’ third victory in four games, tying them for third place with Chinese Taipei. Tournament leaders China and Japan remain unbeaten with identical 4-0 records.Earlier in the competition, the Blu Girls blanked South Korea, 7-0, before suffering a 9-1 loss to powerhouse Japan on Tuesday, July 15.Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) President Jean Henri Lhuillier praised the team’s performance, noting their continued push for one of three qualifying spots in next year’s World Cup group stages.“I am extremely proud of our Blu Girls’ performance. Even in the face of a tough loss to Japan, the team showed heart and resilience. We stand behind them all the way as they continue to fight for our country,” said Lhuillier, also the CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier, a long-time supporter of the squad.The Blu Girls were facing Malaysia at press time and are scheduled to take on Singapore and China in their final group stage matches.