THE national men’s softball team—called the Blu Boys—are going to the World Cup of Softball later this year in New Zealand.
The Blu Boys lost to Japan, 2-9, in its final match in the recent World Baseball Softbal Confederation (WBSC) Men’s Softball Asia Cup Championship in Kochi but still took the last seat to the World Cup.
Reaching the finals was not easy as the Blu Boys finished only second to Singapore in Group B in the elimination round, lost to Japan, 0-7, but beat India, 8-1, enough to snatch the remaining slot.
It will be the Blu Bloys’ ninth in 11 attempts entry to the World Cup where the Philippines booked a best finish of fourth place way back in 1968.
“We’re very proud of our Blu Boys, they accomplished their mission despite numerous challenges,” Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines President Jean Henri Lhuillier said. “We’re looking forward to their stint in the World Cup and definitely, they will get the support they need to prepare for it.”
Blu Boys head Coach Apol Rosales lauded his team’s performance against Japan.
“The Japanese are No. 2 in the world, just to play them in the finals was a big accomplishment already, and we even scored 2 runs from 6 hits in that game,” Rosales said. “It’s a big improvement for us considering Japan blanked us earlier in the tournament.”
Rosales said he’s looking at a top 6 finish in New Zealand but stressed that the team needs high-level exposure and competition before the World Cup.
Even Japanese team manager Hiroshi Yoshimura was impressed with the Filipinos.
“Your team gave us anxious moments, your boys are young and talented, and they can go far given the right exposure,” Yoshimura said.