RP Blu Girls advance to Group C playoffs of Softball World Cup group stage

The Philippine women's softball team, the RP Blu Girls, clinched a spot in the Group C playoffs of the group stage of the 2024 Women's Softball World Cup after beating New Zealand and host Italy on Tuesday at the Campo da Baseball-Softball and Campo Comunale da Softball in Italy, respectively.

The RP Blu Girls first pulled off a 5-3 victory against New Zealand before a close 6-5 win against the Italians boosted their playoff hopes.

They finished the group stage at fourth spot with a 2-3 win-loss card, enough for a ticket in the Group C playoffs, where two spots for the 2024 Women's Softball World Cup's final stage will be up for grabs.

Canada and Japan topped the group to advance to the Group C Final while Italy and the Philippines will battle it out in Group C's third place playoff later today. The loser of the finals and the winner of the playoff will face each other in the repechage.

The team which will rule Group C and the winner of the repechage will advance to the final round of the World Cup in 2024 in Italy.

Prior to the twin victories against Italy and New Zealand, the Filipinas fell to Canada (0-5), Japan (0-13), and Venezuela (1-5).

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News