The Philippine women’s national softball team suffered a heartbreaker and failed to step onto the podium of the 2023 Asian Women’s Softball Championship, dropping their second straight battle for bronze versus Taiwan, 5-10, Saturday in Incheon.

Despite the result, the Blu Girls return to the Women’s Softball World Cup slated next year in Dublin, Ireland.

It was a blistering start for the Philippines to start the game, with a double run by outfielders Cristy Roa and Krisha Cantor off a power swing Elsie Dela to the left field for a 4-0 score on the top of the first inning.

However, Taiwan had three straight scoring swings in the bottom first with swings from Yang Yi-Ting, Chen Chia-Yi, and Li Szu-Shi.

Basewoman Charlotte Sales scored the final point of the Philippines in the second inning with a single run off a sacrificial fly by Mary Maguad.

It was all Taiwan for the rest of the game, scoring on seven runs from the third to sixth inning to bag the bronze medal.

The shortstop Yang and second basewoman Lin Feng-Chen scored on two runs apiece to lead Taiwan while designated hitter Chen and third basewoman Ko Chia-Hui combined for seven RBIs to assist their team to victory.

Outfielder Alaiza Talisik led the Blue Girls with one run off two hits in her three at-bats, along one RBI.

The Philippines accumulated five wins and three loses in the elimination round, which included a 2-0 squeaker against host South Korea.

They previously finished at 14th in place in the 2018 Women’s Softball World Cup in Chiba, Japan.

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