Blu Girls aim for bronze in Asian Games softball

Manila Times - Oct 2, 2026

THE Philippine women’s softball team closed the preliminary round with a 9-3 victory over Hong Kong on Friday and will vie for the bronze medal against Chinese Taipei on Saturday in the 20th Asian Games at the Anjo Softball Ground in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Blu Girls will have a chance to redeem themselves from a 1-10 preliminary round setback against Chinese Taipei on Sept. 27 and give the Philippines its first ever medal in Asian Games softball. The Philippines finished fourth in each of the previous three editions of the Asian Games. The women’s softball gold medal will be disputed by Japan and China. Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (Asa-Phil) president Jean Henri Lhuillier praised the Blu Girls for keeping their medal dreams alive and continuing to fight after the setback against China on Thursday. “This is the opportunity we have been working and fighting for,” said Lhuillier, who is also president and CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier.  “The Blu Girls have shown tremendous resilience throughout this tournament, and now they have the chance to make history for Philippine softball.  The Philippines lost the bronze medal match against Chinese Taipei in the previous edition of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. “We know Chinese Taipei will...

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Japan tame North Korea to win Games gold after shootout drama

Oct 2, 2026

Japan tame North Korea to win Games gold after shootout drama

JAPAN — Hosts Japan won their third straight Asian Games women's football gold on Friday, edging North Korea on penalties after a 2-2 draw in a dramatic final. Yuzuho Shiokoshi scored the decisive penalty as Japan, who reached the final without conceding a goal, won 5-3 in the shootout to claim the title for the fourth time. North Korea changed their goalkeeper in the final minute of extra time but it was not enough to give them their first gold since 2014. The hosts looked in full control when Mami Ueno gave them the lead in the 32nd minute in Shizuoka. But Jong Kum bundled in an equalizer two minutes into the second half that was eventually given after a VAR check, before Jon Ryong Jong put North Korea ahead in the 69th minute. Japan's Hanon Nishio equalized with four minutes left to send the game into extra time. The teams could not be separated and North Korea brought on substitute goalkeeper Chae Un Gyong to help their cause. Instead it was Japan goalkeeper Shu Ohba who was the hero, stopping Jong's penalty in the only miss of the shootout. North Korea were backed by groups of red-clad supporters among the crowd of over 6,000. Japan and North Korea went into the final having each scored 26 goals in the previous rounds. The two teams had also shared the previous six Asian Games titles, winning three each. Japan coach Michihisa Kano won his first title since replacing Greenland-born Nils Nielsen. Nielsen led Japan to the Asian Cup title in Australia in March but was fired 12 days later. North Korea were looking to extend their astonishing recent run of international success in women's football. They have won three world titles at age-group level in the last two years, and North Korean club Naegohyang Women's FC became Asian champions in May after a final tournament played in South Korea. Women's football is one of the strongest international sports for diplomatically isolated and impoverished North Korea, with their national sides regularly competing at the highest levels in Asia and globally.

Philippines tennis star Eala says 'I get overwhelmed sometimes'

Oct 2, 2026

Philippines tennis star Eala says 'I get overwhelmed sometimes'

NAGOYA, Japan — Alexandra Eala admitted on Friday that she gets "overwhelmed sometimes" by the huge weight of expectation placed on her as a trailblazer for tennis in the Philippines. The 21-year-old leaves the Asian Games having fallen short of her ambition to win gold for her country, instead settling for bronze. Eala is followed everywhere by adoring fans eager for a piece of the world number 18, who in August became the first player from the Philippines to win a title on the women's WTA Tour. "I definitely do get overwhelmed sometimes," said Eala. "But I understand that it's such a privilege to be in the position that I'm in and to be able to live out the dreams that I've always had as a kid. "So it's something I've had to accept that it comes with the job, and this is how things are. "I'm ready for the challenge." Eala, who skipped the prestigious China Open in Beijing to play for her country at the Asian Games, said she would take away good memories despite exiting in the semi-finals in a three-set defeat to China's lower-ranked Wang Xinyu. Wang went on to beat compatriot Zhang Shuai to win gold on Friday. "It does come with pressure, but I'm really happy that I was able to compete here," said Eala, who was the top seed. "To be able to share it with the Filipino people is really important," she added. "No regrets. I left everything on the court," said Eala. With Games gold comes direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Eala said it was still her "dream" to play in LA. "There are other ways of qualifying for the Olympics, so I guess it's also an extra motivation," she said. "Competing in the Olympics is definitely a dream of mine. So, if anything, I leave here more motivated."