Blu Girls set sights on Nagoya Asiad

The national women’s softball team will use the experience it gained from its 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games campaign to fuel its medal drive for the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan from 19 September to 4 October.

Blu Girls head coach Ana Santiago said she wants her girls to show the same composure and grit when they compete in the Asiad against some of the best countries in the region. 

The Philippines defeated Singapore, 3-0, to clinch the gold medal at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok last 19 December.

“Sometimes the breaks of the game are there. In the critical moments, we don't really make errors so those are the things that we need to bring when we prepare because the Asian Games is in a higher level. The opponents are stronger so we need to raise our level, not just training, but our level of play and our competitiveness,” Santiago said.

“We really plan even all of our upcoming tournaments like the Canada Cup in July and the training camp that we also plan. Hopefully, we will be able to have a good training with our team.”

Santiago said they are also looking at a possible training camp either in the United States or in Japan to make sure they will be extra prepared for the Asian Games.

“Actually, what I want to mention to Cheska (Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines secretary general Francesca Altomonte) is the Japan or the US training camp. That is what I hope we can fix and find a way because I think it is a big help for our team in the Asian Games.”

The Blu Girls are entering the year in high spirits after moving up to No. 13 in the World Softball Baseball Confederation rankings.