The Philippine women’s softball team, affectionately called the RP Blu Girls, are SEA Games gold medalists 11 times in a row.
When you’ve enjoyed success as much as the Philippine women’s softball team, it’s almost human nature to rest on your laurels and simply bask in the glory.
But for the team affectionately known as the RP Blu Girls, their success was never about staying stagnant.
Rather, even as they completed a successful run to their 11th straight SEA Games gold medal last December, the Blu Girls know that the rest of the competition are bound to catch up and truly challenge them for the throne.
In their most recent gold medal match in Thailand, Finals challengers Singapore were actually the first on the board, scoring at the top of the 2nd inning before a big 6th inning helped the Philippines pull through with the 4-1 win.
Despite the challenge, the Blu Girls stayed steady knowing they have the biggest target out on the field.
“Hindi naman po talaga natin masasabi kung ano yung ipe-perform ng kalaban,” said Blu Girls skipper Charlotte Sales on a recent interview with One News’ Power & Play.
“Pero bago po kami pumunta ng SEA Games, inexpect na po namin na syempre, nag-prepare din po sila, kasi lahat ng kalaban namin talagang alam namin na lalaban talaga sila samin,” she added.
For assistant coach Jerome Bacarisas, the team just needed to focus on themselves and what they control.
With the rest of the field working to bridge the gap against the Blu Girls, Bacarisas is more concerned with his players rather than what everyone else is doing. For the Philippine team, confidence has been the key factor.
“Actually sa [SEA Games] po, [may] confidence naman po kami na lumaban don. So hindi rin po namin masasabi kasi pinaghandaan din po kami ng Singapore at saka lahat ng makakalaban po namin don,” he said in the same Power & Play interview.
“Yun po, alam naman po namin na kaya yun basta mag(karon lang) ng confidence yung mga player. Wala na po kaming problema don.”
Tested and Victorious
Having successfully defended their crown for the 11th straight edition, and adding a 20th title overall to the Philippines' dazzling softball resume at the SEA Games, Sales accepted the fact that the Blu Girls are simply the team everyone wants to take down.
With the Philippines having long established themselves as a powerhouse in the sport, the Blu Girls have learned to simply deal with it and perform.
After surviving another gritty test at the hands of Singapore in the gold medal match, the Blu Girls hope to continue their winning tradition for years to come.
“Hindi ko naman masabi na hindi [kami kinakabahan], pero kasama naman talaga siya sa laro eh. Talagang kakabahan ka parin pero ang lagi po sinasabi samin ng coaches namin kung paano namin hina-handle yung pressure na yun,” she said.
“So yun nga, masaya kami na na-handle namin siya ng maayos kaya kami nanalo.”
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.