THE PHILIPPINE Blu Boys got their campaign off on the wrong foot, dropping a 5-12 decision to the Czech Republic Friday at the start of the World Men’s Softball Championships in Saskatoon, Canada.
Struggling to keep up with the Czech’s superb play, the Blu Boys yielded to the strong European squad in Pool A play.
Despite the loss, Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines president Jean Henri Lhuillier expressed confidence the Blu Boys can still put up a decent finish in the tournament.
“The game today showed that we have a long way to go in becoming one of the world’s elite teams but this will not deter us in fighting hard and improving our game,” said Lhuillier. “I’m still hopeful that we can achieve our lofty goal of making it to the top 10.”
The Blu Boys face Guatamela in their next match on Sunday. The Guatamelans bowed to host Canada, 0-4, in their debut.
In other matches, powerhouse United States blanked Mexico, 7-0, Dominican Republic drubbed Denmark, 8-1, Venezuela waylaid Netherlands, 11-1, and Australia stunned Japan, 1-0.
“Our boys are very eager to bounce back,” said Lhuillier. “We will continue to compete hard and try to win games even against very strong competition.” Cedelf P. Tupas