Blu Girls fall to Venezuela in Women's Softball World Cup opener

The Philippine Blu Girls opened their campaign in the 2026 Women's Softball World Cup Group Lima with an 8-5 loss to Venezuela early Wednesday (Manila time) at the Villa María del Triunfo Sports Complex in Peru.

Starting pitcher Kikay Palma kept Venezuela in check through the first two innings, issuing just one walk while retiring the other six batters she faced.

The South Americans, ranked No. 16 in the world, broke through in the third inning behind five singles and a walk, erupting for four runs to grab a 4-0 advantage and chase Palma from the circle.

The world No. 13 Blu Girls answered in the bottom of the fourth. Roma Cruz ignited the comeback with a triple before Alyssa Daniell drove her in with an RBI single to center field.

Daniell and Ma. Victoria Magbanua later crossed the plate after Angelu Gabriel drilled a two-run triple into the right-center gap, pulling the Philippines within a run at 4-3.

Venezuela responded with another decisive rally in the sixth inning, scoring four more runs to regain control. Diana Arcay delivered the biggest blow with a pinch-hit three-run homer to left-center, stretching the lead to 7-3, before Veronica Antequera Silva added an RBI single that scored Eila Infante for an 8-3 cushion.

The Blu Girls mounted one last push in the bottom of the sixth as back-to-back singles by 19-year-old Mylia Perez and Skylynne Ellazar helped trim the deficit to 8-5.

The Philippines threatened again in the seventh after Daniell doubled and Charlotte Sales worked a walk, putting the potential tying run at the plate in team captain Cheska Altomonte. However, Altomonte's fly ball to right field ended the rally and the game.

Daryelin Rivas Chavez led Venezuela's offense with a 3-for-4 performance, while Antequera Silva reached base three times.

Daniell paced the Blu Girls with three hits, while Ellazar and Perez collected two hits apiece.

Among the four pitchers used by head coach Ana Santiago, Glory Alonzo turned in the most effective relief outing, tossing 1⅓ hitless innings while allowing only one walk.

The Philippines will try to rebound on Thursday but faces a stern test against defending champion and world No. 1 Japan at 6 a.m. (Manila time).

Group Lima follows a single round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the knockout stage. The two finalists will earn spots in the 2027 Women's Softball World Cup Finals in Redcliffe, Australia.

Also competing in the group are world No. 3 Puerto Rico, No. 12 Great Britain, and host nation Peru, ranked No. 18.