Head of Delegation Ismail Veloso, Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim, Deputy Consul Imelda Panolong (second from right) Head Coach Randy Dizer with members of the Philippine Women’s Softball Team. PH CONSULATE LA PHOTO
IRVINE, California – It only placed a seventh in the World Cup of Softball here, but the Philippine National Women’s softball team’s morale is still high.
The reason – the“Blu Girls” used the softball world cup to kick off training for the upcoming 17th Asian Games from September 19to October 4 in Inchon, Korea.
“We now know how much we need to train and do adjustments in preparation for the Asian Games,” stated Assistant Coach Ana Maria Santiago.
“We decided to make the World Cup the warm up tournament before the ‘Olympics of Asia’, the Asian Games,” explained Ismael “Jun” Veloso, head of the team delegation.
The “Blu Girls” only won against Venezuela with a score of 3 to 0. They competed against Canada, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Mexico, Venezuela and the USA, which won the championship.
“They seem too relax, so the next few weeks of training will determine which girls will go on to compete in the Asian Games,” added Veloso.
Both Veloso and Santiago noted that the team needed more training in pitching and hitting. Right fielder Alma Parohinog agreed that hitting is something they need to improve.
The current Philippine roster consists of Jullian Tanaka, Veronica Belleza, Whell Ghene Camral, Annalie Benjamin, Isabella Ann Mendoza, Marlyn Francisco, Angelie Ursabia, Francesca
Philippine team (in white blue and red) vs. Chinese Taipei at Bill Barber Park in Irvine, California. PHOTO BY HIYASMIN QUIJANO
Altomonte, Garie Blando, Francesca Foti, Lorna Adorable, Leia Ruiz, Kriska Piad, Luziminda Embudo, Alexandra Louise Zuluaga, Alleah Laxamana, Jaexenne Balilea, Arianne Vallestero, Dani Gilmore, Gabrielle Rodas, Morgan Stuart, Rizza Bernardino and Elma Parohinog.
The team’s coaches have a busy schedule lined up for their US stay. The Blu Girls will be training in Las Vegas.
First base Alex Zuluaga said, “We try to zone people out to focus during the games, but it would definitely boost our moral if more Filipino Americans came out and cheered for us.”
“They are going to do hitting drills and other adjustments to wake them up,’’ said Veloso eager to work on improving the teams skills within the next month.
A year ago, the team won the Big League Softball World Series after beating Guam 13 to 1.