The national women’s softball team pulled off a stunning victory over world No. 4 Australia, 7-5, at the opening of the World Cup of Softball XII at the Amateur Softball Association's Hall of Fame Complex in Oklahoma City, Okla., Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

It was a quick turnaround for the Blu Girls, the 17th-ranked side that bowed to the hosts, 4-0, before upsetting the Aussies.

The Cebuana Lhuillier-backed Filipinas led as early as the first inning, courtesy of Arianne Vallestero’s 3 RBIs and Fil-Am Dani Gilmore's solo home run.

In the second inning, Kailey Cuico doubled off to drive in three runs to secure the win.

"All the training and preparations are now paying off. I know our team will pull off more surprise wins in their coming games. I believe we have what it takes to come up with our best ever finish in the World Cup,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, president of the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines.

“All these are geared towards our 2020 Tokyo Olympics goal."

On Friday, the Blu Girls will need to be at their best facing world No. 1 Japan, No. 3 Canada, and No. 7 Puerto Rico all in the same day in the annual competition sanctioned by the World Baseball Softball Confederation.

Succeeding games scheduled on Saturday and Sunday will be against the US junior women’s national team and world No. 10 Mexico.

The Philippine team is composed of Lorna Adorable, Francesca Altomonte, Lovely Arago, Kailey Cuico Riflayca Basa, Lyca Basa, Garie Blando, Riezel Calumbres, Shaira Damasing, Hailey Decker, Skylynne Ellazar, Mary Luisse Garde, Reese Guevarra, Dani Gilmore, Sierra Lange, Mia Macapagal, Dione Macasu, Gabrielle Maurice, Maria Celestine Palma, Cristy Roa, Chelsea Suitos, Angeli Ursabia and Arianne Vallestero.

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