MANILA — Ilongga pitcher Royevel Palma tossed a two-hit shutout as the Philippines crushed host Peru, 13-0, in four innings to secure fifth place in the WBSC Women’s Softball World Cup 2026 Group Lima on Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines) in Peru.
The Pototan, Iloilo native earned her first victory of the tournament after allowing just two hits and one walk across four scoreless innings while striking out two batters.
Palma received overwhelming run support as the Blu Girls scored all 13 runs in a blistering first inning, sending 17 batters to the plate and pounding out 10 hits on their way to the mercy-rule triumph.
Charlotte Sales powered the Philippine offense with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, four RBIs and her second consecutive home run.
Sales ended the tournament with a .462 batting average, six RBIs and four runs scored.
The rout capped a strong finish for the Blu Girls, who also blanked Peru, 8-0, in five innings in their final opening-round assignment behind Glory Alonzo’s complete-game shutout.
The Filipinas also stunned world No. 3 Puerto Rico, 5-4, in a memorable walk-off victory earlier in the tournament.
Nicole Hammoude delivered the game-winning hit after the Blu Girls erased a three-run deficit in the seventh inning.
Despite their victories over Puerto Rico and Peru, the Filipinas failed to advance to the playoff round after opening their campaign with losses to Venezuela, Japan and Great Britain.
The Philippines completed the tournament with a 3-3 record, highlighted by consecutive mercy-rule victories over host Peru./PN
