Shaky start for Blu Girls

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Blu Girls absorbed a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Canada for a flat start in the group stage of the Women’s Softball World Cup yesterday in Castions di Istrada and Buttrio, Italy.

Up against the world No. 5 Canadians, the 26th-ranked Filipino batters stood their ground in the first two innings but ran out of steam later on for a tough debut in Group C.

Up next for the Blu Girls is world No. 2 Japan, which drubbed New Zealand, 16-2, to fire off its redemption bid after three straight runner-up finishes behind the United States.