JAKARTA -- The Philippine Blu Girls took care of business against host Indonesia, 4-0, in the afternoon but suffered a stinging 3-2 setback to Chinese Taipei in the nightcap of their Wednesday double-header. The loss means they will miss out on a chance for an automatic podium finish in the softball competition of the 18th Asian Games at the Gelora Bung Karno.
Against host Indonesia, the Blu Girls struggled and totaled just eight hits against the only winless team in the field. They got off to a strong start in the first inning, getting three hits and two runs courtesy of Skylynne Eleazar's single that turned into two RBIs with Angelie Ursabia and Arianne Vallestero.
But the batters struggled in the second and third innings as the Blu Girls could only manage a single hit. They came to life again in the fourth inning with three hits and a run from Shaira Damasing following Reese Guevarra's single to center field. An insurance run from Chelsea Suitos in the sixth off a double from Vallestero pegged the final count as the hosts were unable to make headway in the seventh and final inning.
The win hardly pleased coach Randy Dizer, who again lamented the poor hitting.
"It's not big," he said. "But a win is a win. We were not hitting well and there were some miscues in the defense, alignment in the defense. Their hitting was not there. They should have adjusted during their second time at bat, but they were not able to. Before the start of the game I was telling them that should be our preparation for our game tonight."
Needing a win against Chinese Taipei in their second game to clinch a second seed and ensure at least a bronze medal finish, the Blu Girls took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning on Hailey Decker's two-run homer. But Li Szushih quickly leveled the count at the bottom of the fourth with her own homerun to left field.
With pitcher Kaith Jalandoni giving up three hits in the fourth, Sierra Lange was brought. The Blu Girls had multiple chances to retake the lead, loading the bases in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Their biggest chance came in the sixth, when a fumble by the Taiwanese catcher prompted Decker to steal home. In a close call, she was tagged out to end the inning.
After blowing another loaded bases scenario at the top of the seventh, the Blu Girls gave up the winning run when Lai Mengting singled to first base to send home speedy pinch runner Lin Peichun, who had stolen second and third base.
Coach Randy Dizer rued the missed chances.
"There were so many," he said. "That was the plan. We will stick to them, stay close. We have an advantage pitching-wise. But we lacked the heart to finish it. But we'll bounce back."
The Blu Girls will face Chinese Taipei again in the semifinals after the two teams finished third and fourth, respectively, following a three-way tie with China at 4-2. China took second seed with the least runs allowed after they blanked Chinese Taipei, 5-0, but lost to the Blu Girls 1-0. Japan claimed the top spot with a spotless 6-0 record.
Dizer revealed the girls were angry and in tears after the crushing loss, but were focused on the next game. "They want to come back, and we will come back."
Dizer also questioned the umpire's decision to call Decker out at home plate. "Look at the replay," he said. "She was safe all the way. But you cannot question a judgment call. What is important is we were not able to deliver when were given chances.
"It's that confidence level of who wants it most. That's what I always tell them. Then Taiwan was given a chance, they delivered."