Blu Girls steal spotlight in men's softball tourney

The Philippine Blu Girls team showed its male counterparts how to win a softball game the more competitive way. The Blu Girls demolished the batters from BRMP of Benguet, 9-2, in the Cebuana Lhuillier National Open Softball Championship at the Baguio Athletic Bowl here . Joyce Lasquete held their rivals without a hit and a run in the second inning while back-to-back singles by lead-off batter Sarah Agravante and Gina Salvador-Bacus triggered the Blu Girls’ victory in this tournament that serves as a fitting preparation for the squad in the coming Asian Games. Three runs by the Blu Girls at the bottom of the first inning was enough to break the game wide open and set up the squad’s breakaway victory. “This is certainly a good start for us. We’re not expecting a title in this tournament, but we want to gain more victories as much as possible which will help us in our preparation for the coming Asian Games," said Blu Girls coach Ana Santiago. Overshadowed by the Blu Girls’ triumph was Rizal Technological University’s domination of host Baguio City, 11-3, to make it to the crossover semifinal round. The Blue Thunder rained 13 hits, five of them coming in the first and third frames against a pair of Baguio hurlers to secure their fourth straight victory and move a win away from sweeping the six-team Group A division of this series. “One more win for a sweep. We hope we can continue doing this," said RTU coach Noel Bumagat. “We’re hoping to compete against Air Force because it could make the field more competitive." Dasmariñas Cavite handed R and R of Benguet its first loss in three games following a masterful 6-1 triumph. It was the first win in four outings for the Caviteños. Joemar Valderama and Esme Sta. Maria joined forces in Bulacan State University’s 12-0 shutout win over St. Louis University of Baguio. In the women’s division, Adamson University reasserted its dominance by blanking Polytechnic University of the Philippines, 6-0, in a five-inning duel over at the Melvin Jones Park. It was the Lady Falcons’ third straight win in Group A. Mama Sita’s-University of the Philippines blasted University of Cordillera, 10-1, to assume second position in Group A behind Adamson. University of Santo Tomas proved too tough to handle, needing only three innings in disposing off Bulacan State U, 11-1, in a Group B encounter. - RCJ, GMANews.TV