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Blu Girls Head To Peru for Women's Softball World Cup
Photo credit: ASA-PHIL
The Philippine Blu Girls are officially on their way to Peru as they gear up for the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup 2026 Group Stage, set to take place from July 14 to 18 in Lima.
The national team left for Peru on Wednesday after completing a two-week training camp in Nagoya, Japan, where they trained alongside top professional and collegiate softball players.
Head coach Ana Santiago described the Japan camp as the team's best preparation yet, saying it gave the Blu Girls valuable experience and enough time to fine-tune their game before the tournament. The squad is also expected to play tune-up matches against other competing teams before the official competition begins.
Santiago said the players returned from Japan highly motivated and promised that the team would give its all to prove that Filipinos can compete with the world's best on the international stage.
Currently ranked No. 13 in the world, the Philippines opens its campaign on July 15 against No. 16 Venezuela, before facing defending powerhouse No. 1 Japan the following day.
The Blu Girls will then face a tough doubleheader on July 17, taking on No. 3 Puerto Rico and No. 12 Great Britain, before wrapping up the group stage against host nation No. 18 Peru on July 18.
Leading the Philippine squad is returning catcher Francesca Altomonte, joined by Royevel Palma, Roma Jane Cruz, Ma. Charlotte Sales, Maria Angelu Gabriel, Mea Tubongbanua, Reyae Mae Villamin, Glory Alonzo, Mary Joy Alpitche, Maria Victoria Magbanua, and April Mae Minanga.
The roster is also reinforced by Filipino-American players Skylynne Ellazar, Alyssa Marie Daniel, Nicole Adra Hammoude, Sydney Vitangcol, and Mylia Perez.
The Blu Girls earned a spot in the World Cup after receiving a wildcard following Uganda's withdrawal from the tournament due to failure to meet the participation agreement deadline.
The Philippine team heads into the tournament hoping to build on its strong showing in last year's Women's Softball Asia Cup, where it finished fourth behind Japan, China, and Chinese Taipei.
The national team left for Peru on Wednesday after completing a two-week training camp in Nagoya, Japan, where they trained alongside top professional and collegiate softball players.
Head coach Ana Santiago described the Japan camp as the team's best preparation yet, saying it gave the Blu Girls valuable experience and enough time to fine-tune their game before the tournament. The squad is also expected to play tune-up matches against other competing teams before the official competition begins.
Santiago said the players returned from Japan highly motivated and promised that the team would give its all to prove that Filipinos can compete with the world's best on the international stage.
Currently ranked No. 13 in the world, the Philippines opens its campaign on July 15 against No. 16 Venezuela, before facing defending powerhouse No. 1 Japan the following day.
The Blu Girls will then face a tough doubleheader on July 17, taking on No. 3 Puerto Rico and No. 12 Great Britain, before wrapping up the group stage against host nation No. 18 Peru on July 18.
Leading the Philippine squad is returning catcher Francesca Altomonte, joined by Royevel Palma, Roma Jane Cruz, Ma. Charlotte Sales, Maria Angelu Gabriel, Mea Tubongbanua, Reyae Mae Villamin, Glory Alonzo, Mary Joy Alpitche, Maria Victoria Magbanua, and April Mae Minanga.
The roster is also reinforced by Filipino-American players Skylynne Ellazar, Alyssa Marie Daniel, Nicole Adra Hammoude, Sydney Vitangcol, and Mylia Perez.
The Blu Girls earned a spot in the World Cup after receiving a wildcard following Uganda's withdrawal from the tournament due to failure to meet the participation agreement deadline.
The Philippine team heads into the tournament hoping to build on its strong showing in last year's Women's Softball Asia Cup, where it finished fourth behind Japan, China, and Chinese Taipei.
Jul 2, 2026
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