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The Festival of Sports is still on, but Fate B is out. The all- Filipina softball team in Hong Kong lost its bid to advance in the tournament after losing a knockout game on May 8 at Shek Kip Mei field against local rival Deborah. Fate B managed to stay strong despite initial setbacks in the game, and allowed Deborah to win by the narrowest of margins, 9-8.
The Filipinas had the first crack at racking up points, but their rival's defense was so tight Fate was left scoreless in the first two innings.
When the locals got to bat at the plate, they showed their brilliant playing form. First batter Kwong Hoi Ki struck the ball to the center outfield then ran on to second base.
Leung Wai Kun then smashed another outfield ball, allowing Kwong to move on safely to second base. Hui Ka Wai then batted and was safe to first base, while base runner Leung was at third.
Leung made her way to home when Nga Sze Hang blasted an outfield ball. Two points were eventually racked up by the locals via Hui
In the third inning, Fate became desperate to score. Zenny Badajos promptly delivered with a long outfield ball that brought the former varsity player to second base.
Katherine Gerpacio then hit the ball and was safe to first base while Badajos moved to third. When it was her turn to bat, former international team member Eva Mendez blasted an outfield ball that allowed her to move up to second base. Badajos and Gerpacio took this chance to immediately run up to home base.
Another long ball to the center outfield was struck by the versatile Don Gaborno, which allowed her to move safely to second base, while Mendez dashed to home base. Later, Gaborno also made it safely to home base.
In the third inning Deborah lost some steam and managed to score only one point, courtesy of Cheung Nga Lai. The inning ended with a score of 5-4.
The locals tightened their defense going into the fourth, leaving the Filipinas unable to score. Deborah used this chance to show what it takes to be a winner. Four of its players managed to add four home runs in a row: Chow Lok Yai, Chun Mei Ki, Leung Wai Kun and Hui Ka Wai. The inning ended with a score of 9-4 for Deborah.
Lyka Algonez, a Fate A player who helps coach Team B members tried to reshuffle players to tighten their defense, to no avail. However, Fate B still made it difficult for the other team to beat them.
In the fourth inning Fate got the chance to bat. Don Gaborno responded by blasting the ball to the outfield, allowing her to get to second base. Rose Espano then batted and was safe to first, and Gaborno, to third base. Maureen Edroso who was next jn line, also struck the ball to the outfield, ensuring her safe run to second base, while base while Gaborno and Espano sailed to home base one after another. Later Edroso successfully reached home base, The fourth inning ended on a score of 9-7 for Deborah.
In the fifth inning, both teams did a good job of stopping the other from scoring, although Fate managed to score some heroic feats. A fast ball by Gaborno led to batter Chan Lok Hang being called standing out, while Edroso caught a flying ball from Chow though she had to roll on the ground. Batter Chan Mei Ki was also caught in first base.
Fate made a final bid to catch up in the sixth and final inning, but could only manage an extra point, leaving the final score at 9-8.
After the heartbreaking loss, Algonez gathered her team to express her disappointment".
"You deserve to lose, they deserve to win," she said. "Their agility in playing made them win. You've seen their performance, they deserve that game."
Still, she said they should all learn from the experience,
