Blu Girls join WBSC World Cup Group Stage as wild card

THE Philippine women’s softball team was given wild card entry to the WBSC World Cup Group Stage where it will have a chance to make next year’s finals set in Australia and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls received the spot after Uganda withdrew from the group of world No. 1 Japan, No. 3 Puerto Rico, Great Britain, Venezuela and Peru.

The Peruvians will host that stage slated July 14 to 18, which marks the start of the group phase and the qualification process not just to the World Cup finale but to the Olympics as well.

“This wild card is not simply an invitation — it is recognition of their talent, resilience, and the discipline they bring every time they compete,” said Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines chief Jean Henri Lhuillier.

“They have earned the right to test themselves against the world’s best and represent the Philippines with heart and excellence,” he added.

The other group stage venues are Prague in the Czech Republic and Oklahoma in the United States with the top two of each group advancing to the finale. — Joey Villar