MANILA: The Philippine women's soft ball team, known as the Blu Girls, is in high spirits ahead of the Canada Cup International Softball Championship on July 1 to 7 in Surrey, British Columbia. The Blu Girls, coached by Ana Santiago, will battle New Zealand on July 2 at 12:30 p.m. (PH time) at the start of the elimination round. They will battle Hong Kong at 5 a.m. and Canada at 10 a.m. on July 3; Israel on July 4 (2:30 a.m.), and Mexico on July 5 (5 a.m.). The playoff games will be on July 5 and 6 and the championship on July 7. Also competing are Australia, Chinese Taipei, Czechia, Greece, Israel, TC Colorado, Ukraine and local team Saskatchewan 222s. Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president Jean Henri Lhuillier is optimistic on the team's chances. 'I am incredibly excited to see the girls in action. I've watched them grow their skills and talents to the best of their ability, and I have no doubt they will make us proud again," he posted on Facebook. The Blu Girls have won 10 gold me dals at the Southeast Asian Games. Source: Philippines News Agency